COMMUNITY support is sought to prevent a Chester village cancer-battling pensioner being potentially evicted from her home at the end of this month.

Deborah Wales, 72, has been living for 50 years at her cottage in Backford, turning it into a sanctuary for rescued animals and nature.

But ever since her partner unexpectedly left her in 2007, Deborah has been struggling to pay even the interest payments on her mortgage.

The situation has since worsened, with her building society now demanding the thousands of pounds of capital be repaid, despite Deborah only having her pension to live on.

Speaking to the Standard, Deborah said she believed the day-to-day stress of the ongoing situation – which has seen her having to appear in court – contributed to her falling ill with breast cancer last year.

She said: "I am 72 now, and I have always had Asperger's – I say I am a geriatric Greta Thunberg.

"When my partner left abruptly in 2007, there was no money in the account. I have done everything that I could possibly do to keep the mortgage payments but I have struggled over the next 12 years.

"In 2019, I ended up in court, and the building society was granted a suspended bailiffs order. I was then in court a couple of times after that.

"I had been fit all my life – I had never even had a cold, I was extraordinarily health, but like a bolt out of the blue I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

"I had an operation for breast cancer postponed until I had it in September 2020, followed by radiotherapy which knocked me for six, and I wish in hindsight I hadn't taken it.

"I have now got absolutely nothing left – I am completely unable to pay and have got nothing left except my pension.

"And the coronavirus lockdown doesn't stop the bailiffs – I have been handed a letter from British Gas to say they would come round as I haven't paid the bills."

Due to the lack of maintenance on the house – as Deborah has only been able to pay interest payments – Deborah added there is not enough equity on the property and a lifetime mortgage is unavailable to her.

She now faces another court date on January 31.

Deborah does not live alone at the home, with the house also accommodating rescued animals including an aviary with doves and pigeons temporarily looked after before being released, as well as foxes, squirrels, hedgehogs and a flock of rare sheep.

She also has a pair of horses, but sadly can no longer be kept in stables due to Deborah's financial situation, so are currently out in a field, which has made Deborah "extremely upset".

Deborah's plight was brought to the attention of the charity Changing Lives Together, a cause set up to help those dealing with isolation during the Covid crisis.

Deborah was referred to the charity, which operates the befriending scheme, after her GP became concerned about her situation.

One such befriender, Noel Ferguson, has helped Deborah set up a crowdfunding page to help her plight.

Deborah added: "He has helped me so much – what a brilliant befriender to have!"

People are urged to donate to the crowdfunder at https://uk.gofundme.com/f/257c43-nature-heals