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Panic buyers are pushing up prices of essential health products for the vulnerable, says a TV dad.
Father-of-four Kyle Ratcliffe, whose family was featured on television when their Sheppey home was rebuilt by Nick Knowles' DIY SOS programme, has launched a furious attack on Twitter blasting profiteering firms cashing in on the coronavirus scare.
In the tweet, he wrote: "We have a very vulnerable, disabled son.
"We use clinnell wipes daily to ensure his environment is germ free.
"February 1 - six packs bought for £5.80 each.
"The same pack today costs £15.16 each.
"Talk about exploiting the vulnerable!"
The same tweet was posted by his husband Garry who runs primary schools in Dartford.
Between them they have 3,851 followers. Both tagged in 10 Downing Street.
Kyle, 42, said: "I can understand people stocking up on certain products but they are now stockpiling stuff they don't normally use which is leading to an extortionate rise in the cost of some essential items.
"Prices are doubling or tripling as people are profiteering."
He added: "It's not just wipes, it is antiseptic cleaners and things like children's medicine Calpol which is making these items difficult to get."
He said: "We are lucky. We can afford this. But there are many families with vulnerable children who can't and are struggling to cope. We are trying to raise awareness of the situation using our followers.
"To be honest, I don't expect Boris Johnson to call us. But if someone in his office sees the re-tweets and passes our concerns up the line it may help those less fortunate than ourselves."
Since posting the tweet last night the family has been offered supplies and one well-wisher even suggested setting up a go fund me page for them.
Kyle said: "We don't often post anything political but sometimes we feel it is important to make a stand."
The two men have adopted nine-year-old Curtis, who is also known as Curly, Phoebe, eight, Bella, 12, and Haydn, 16. All have difficulties in one form or another.
Curtis who has cerebral palsy and is blind and confined to a wheelchair. He has to sleep in a specially purified bedroom because he is very susceptible to colds.
Kyle said: "Just before Christmas we almost lost him.
"He was very poorly and spent 18 days in intensive care in a London hospital.
"It made us realise just how vulnerable he still is."
Nick Knowles and his team rebuilt the family bungalow in Brambledown in 2016 for a BBC One programme.
Retired Sheppey priest the Rev Cindy Kent has come up with her own advice for tackling coronavirus in church.
