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Payplan client, charity fundraiser and Multiple Sclerosis sufferer Karen Mascoll has recently been shortlisted for the ‘Croydon Charity Champion 2007’. This follows one of the proudest moments in her life when she completed the London Marathon in April to raise money for charity.
Wife of Gary and mother to Tabitha and Rebecca, Karen was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 1998 and has since become an active fundraiser for charities such as the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Financial problems

Whilst Karen is clearly an exceptional individual, she was forced to seek debt advice due to the changes in her circumstances. This is far from unusual. Her diagnosis with MS initially caused, quite understandably, extra spending on days out with her family. She also bought a dishwasher to help with the difficulties of living with the disease. However these costs were met courtesy of her credit cards.
“I was kidding myself that we could afford it.”
To make matters worse, the survey on the new family home showed several outstanding remedial works including fixing the roof and rising damp. The family felt it made sense to re-decorate at the same time and so Karen remortgaged to provide the cash to make the improvements.

Budgeting at Christmas

It all came to a head one Christmas when Karen was frantically juggling money and paying off one credit card with another.
“I worried about money all over Christmas and realised that I had to face things.”
She realised that she needed help and approached a debt company that advertises on the television, but was put off by their charges and limitations. After speaking to a Payplan adviser, she signed up for a free debt management plan and now feels enormously relieved.
‘We have agreed a budget and I just make one payment to Payplan, who distribute the money amongst the creditors. The whole family is committed to the budget and we are pulling together’
To support Karen’s extraordinary fundraising work and to find out the up and coming result of her nomination for ‘Croydon’s Charity Champion 2007’ visit Karen’s Charity Fundraising website. You can read all about Karen’s latest fundraising activities and how she is personally dealing with the symptoms of MS. If you would like to contact an experienced money adviser at Payplan then call them free on 0800 316 1833 or use their debt assessment to submit your details online.