I live off-grid in a caravan with two kids after losing all my money in a divorce – we have to beg for cash on GoFundMe
A HARD UP dad has revealed having to live in a caravan with his six-year-old twins after losing all of his money in a divorce.
Roofer Jim Dunne said he "felt terrible" asking for help from strangers to support his unique way of life.
The 37-year-old has been living with his six-year-old twin children in a caravan in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, for the past year after the breakdown of his marriage.
Jim bought the caravan for £2,000 at the end of 2022 - forking out another £2,000 on renovating the vehicle, which he documented on his Instagram page.
However he has found himself drowning in debt - now claiming to owe around £80,000 as fees mounted from his divorce, a legal dispute on one of his roofing jobs and credit cards.
And to make matters worse, Jim's motor broke down this month, leaving him unable to work or take his children to school.
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In desperation, the dad launched a GoFundMe page asking for donations to help buy a new van - and allow him to continue his outdoor way of living.
Jim said: "I put a video on my Instagram of my van being recovered and all my followers were messaging me telling me to make a GoFundMe so I made one and it's done really well.
"I only asked for £2,500 and I think it's over £10,000 now. I couldn't physically get to work or take my kids to school without a van.
"I was just happy to get as much money as I could.
"I've got no assets at all except the caravan that I could sell, but it woud mean giving up time with my kids and moving in with my mum.
"I don't want to do that, the kids love it so much and we don't want to give up that life - people love watching what we're doing.
"The money will go towards a new van, that's the plan - It allows me to keep going to work and providing for them.
"At least I can put food on the table.
"It's crazy seeing all the donations - it's overwhelming, I never expected this much to come in, I would've been happy with anything really."
Jim often endorses his unconventional lifestyle to his social media followers, claiming that in nature you realise 'you don't need material things'.
Jim said: "I looked around for places to rent and it was just costing too much with paying a mortgage at the time too.
"So I just bought a cheap caravan and I was a lot closer to the kids' school.
"It works a lot better for us and the kids love it, they think it's amazing, they're just getting a little bit too big for it now, that's the trouble."
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In his videos, Jim claims: "When you ditch the norm and raise your children off grid in a caravan in nature you realise you don't need material things. All children really need is attention, time, creativity and love.
"Why I live off grid in a caravan: I no longer have to work long hours just to afford bills and mortgage payments. I'm able to be present. Every day is an adventure outdoors in nature."
