Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Lorraine King

Fundraiser for funeral of mum who died in 'extreme poverty' next to baby raises £40,000

A crowdfundraiser to pay for the funeral of a poverty-stricken mum who was found dead beside her malnourished baby has raised more than £40,000 in four days.

The GoFundMe page was set up following the tragic death of Mercy Baguma whose body was found in her flat in Glasgow on Saturday.

Her tragic demise has touched the nation's heart and donations have poured in resulting in the page raising four times its £10,000 target in the short time frame.

The 34-year-old single mum was an asylum seeker from Uganda who lost her job after her limited leave to remain had reportedly expired.

This meant she was no longer allowed to work and Ms Baguma and her son ended up living in "extreme poverty".

Mercy Baguma was found dead in her flat on Saturday (Daily Record)

She had begged for help from charity Director of Positive Action in Housing just over a week before she was discovered dead.

The fundraiser, launched by a friend of Ms Baguma, describes her as an amazing "mother, sister and best friend" who "always put her family first."

It reads: "We are devastated to share that Mercy Baguma passed away on Saturday 22nd 2020

"She was an amazing mother, sister, best friend, friend loved by all.

The fundraiser has hit four times its target (Gofundme)

"Mercy was always positive and always put her family first, especially her son.

"Her smile made everyone so welcome and comfortable.

"Donations will go directly to her son , family to help with end of life costs and future expenses."

More than 3,000 people have made a donation.

One donor posted: "It is abhorrent that someone could come to this country with a desire to work and contribute and end up dying in such an awful manner.

"It is crystal clear that Mercy was a beautiful human being inside and out. I hope that we now collectively do the right thing and fight for her baby boy to be taken care of and provided with the comfortable life that he deserves."

Another said: "It is not fair that some are vulnerable only because they were born on the other side of a border.

"Shame on us if we cannot welcome and protect those who come to us for help."

Ms Baguma's lived with her one-year-old son (Daily Record)

Robina Qureshi, Director of Positive Action in Housing, said Ms Baguma had contacted them for help on August 11.

She added: "Had she lived she would have been a high priority for a crisis payment from our Emergency Relief Fund like hundreds of others left functionally destitute by the asylum system.

“The question remains, why are mothers and babies being left to go hungry in this city, why is it being left to charities and volunteers to pick up the pieces?

"Would this mother be alive if she was not forced out of her job by this cruel system that stops you from working and paying your way because a piece of paper says your leave to remain has expired?

"I’m sure Mercy’s son will want to ask this and other questions once he is old enough."

Ms Baguma's one-year-old son was taken to a hospital but has since been discharged and is in the care of his dad.

Her death has prompted Scotland's First Minister Nicola Stugeon to call for a complete reform of the UK's 'deeply inhumane' asylum system.

During First Minister's Questions she said: "I find myself consumed with sadness but also with real anger at the death of Mercy Baguma and first and foremost my thoughts - and I'm sure the thoughts of all of us - go to her family and friends following her tragic death.

"We knew this before this tragedy, but it is underlined by this tragedy - the UK asylum system is not just broken, it is deeply inhumane and it must be changed.

"People who come to Scotland because they need a place of safety should have our support, and that is even more true right now at this time of crisis."

She added: "I would appeal to the UK government to look into their hearts as a result of this case and finally make the changes that are needed to housing."

The Home Office has promised to carry out a full investigation into her case.

A Police Scotland spokesman said Ms Baguma's death is being treated as unexplained, but not suspicious.

A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.