Sheppey son and dad who has cancer and dementia now homeless after being evicted from caravan park
14:05, 27 October 2021
updated: 15:52, 27 October 2021
A man and his elderly father who suffers with dementia and cancer have been made homeless after a Sheppey leisure park evicted them “out of the blue”.
Mathew Kirton and his dad Brian, 81, lived in a static home at Ashcroft Coast in Plough Road, Minster, which is owned by Cosgrove Leisure Parks, for nearly two years.
The pair moved down from Grimsby after Mathew, 42, was offered a job as a salesman at the leisure park.
However, on Sunday, he claims his contract was terminated and that he and his father, who he cares for, were told they would need to be off the park by dinner time yesterday.
Cosgrove Leisure Parks hit headlines after those with mobile homes older than 10 years were told they could no longer pay site fees and water rates monthly and must find up to £6,000 by December 17 to remain.
Mr Kirton said: “There was no warning, no nothing. It was completely out of the blue and now I feel completely lost.
"We’ll be homeless if we can’t find emergency accommodation as I don’t have a car and can’t get up back to Grimsby.
'It's absolutely disgusting what they've done...'
“With dad’s condition, it’ll kill him, definitely. His dementia is always set off by the smallest of things, so something like this will be terrible. He also has skin cancer and suspected bowel cancer and uses a walking stick.”
The former salesman claims Cosgrove Leisure Parks owes him around £4,000 in commission - money which would help him get home, but says he’s heard nothing.
He added: “Everything was fine and then I was called in and sacked for no reason. They told me they didn’t need a reason.
“Dad’s medication is registered here and not knowing where I’ll be has thrown that all in the air.”
The pair were finally removed from their static home on Wednesday morning after locking themselves inside on Tuesday night and "hiding" in the home.
Speaking earlier today Mathew said: "Dad and I are currently sat in a packed car park with no idea what to do. It's absolutely disgusting what they have done."
The firm has been approached for comment.
