A GRIEVING daughter has launched a plea for financial help after being threatened with court action over her mum’s mounting funeral costs.

Vicky Fitzgerald, 47, of Thorney Bay, Canvey, died of alcohol related illnesses in August, leaving behind her three children.

Eighteen-year-old Chantelle was left “broken” after receiving a letter this week warning she could be hauled before County Court if she fails to cough up more than £2,000 for the funeral.

She said: “My mum has died and I don’t have a dad, I just don’t know what to do.

“I just want my troubles to go away.

“I had to spend a lot of my childhood looking after my mum, and now she is gone I have to look after my brother.

“I signed for the funeral repayments but I don’t have any money, and now I could end up in court.

“I loved my mum.

“When I opened the letter threatening to take me to court I felt broken.”

Chantelle and her 17-year-old brother Shane are estranged from their older brother.

Responsibility for the funeral costs fell to Chantelle after she signed a contract with E Sargeant and Son funeral directors, in Slough, where her mum is buried in a grave next to her former partner.

The Department for Work and Pensions refused to help pay for the funeral, which took place in November, because Mrs Fitzgerald's oldest son was technically her next of kin.

Chantelle said: “I didn’t know what to do. There was only me who could sign the contract after the death and I had to be strong for Shane.

“I’m only a young girl, I didn’t realise what trouble this would cause.”

After receiving the penalty notice, Chantelle set up an online GoFundMe page asking for help to pay off the debt.

She raised £140 in just an hour.

Stay-at-home mum Michelle Grey, 47 of Fern Walk, Canvey, took Chantelle and Shane in after their mother's death.

Her son Taylor is Chantelle's boyfriend.

She said: “They have been through so much, so we decided to help set up the webpage as a last resort.

“Chantelle has been amazing trying to hold herself and her little brother together.

"I’d never even met Shane, the first time I came into contact with him was when he was crying in my arms.

“I took them both in to my home.”

The brother and sister have now moved out into their own rented accommodation.

The funeral company has invited to meet the pair around the table for talks.

A spokesman said: "We have been compassionate in all our dealings with the family and gave them a discounted price for the funeral in recognition of their financial circumstances.

"They agreed to this fee and it is our normal business practice to follow this up if payment is not forthcoming.

"We are in ongoing dialogue with the family and have invited them to discuss the matter further."