So far, six people have contributed an underwhelming £44 to Emily Cutter’s fundraiser.
Emily Cutter claims she needs the break for the sake of her mental health (Image: GoFundMe)
A shameless single mum is begging strangers online to fund her child-free holiday abroad, claiming her £1,590 monthly benefits do not stretch far enough. Emily Cutter, 37, from Taunton, has launched a GoFundMe page seeking £250 to £800 for a trip to Turkey, the Canary Islands, or Spain—or a cheaper spa weekend—as the October half-term approaches. Launched last week, the campaign has raised just £44 from 12 donors as of Tuesday.
Ms Cutter lives with her three children—Jack, 18, Cee Cee, 14, and Lilly, 7—and receives Universal Credit covering housing support, standard allowance, child payments and £187 in child benefit. She pays £27 a month in council tax and qualifies for free NHS prescriptions, dental visits, eye tests and school meals. The total £1,590 is funded by taxpayers. According to Ms Cutter, she quit a £20,000-a-month OnlyFans career in 2023, citing damage to her mental health and self-esteem.
Emily Cutter during a previous excursion. (Image: GoFundMe)
In her GoFundMe appeal, Ms Cutter describes the break as essential for recharging amid online abuse from her social media growth. Since June, she has amassed nearly 30,000 followers on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, with videos on the benefits of life drawing millions of views.
She writes: “I need a child-free break, and I know people will want to help me pay for it. A mini break is cheaper and more effective than waiting months for an NHS counselling referral.” She plans to leave her children with their three different fathers during the trip.
Ms Cutter dismisses calls for her to take a conventional job, insisting she is training to become a full-time influencer and build a travel business. She said: “People are constantly telling me to get a job.
“They don’t understand I am training myself at home to be an influencer.” She argues regular travel is key to content creation and collaborations.
So far six people have contributed a total of £44 – enough for several cocktails (Image: GoFundMe)
Her GoFundMe page features brazen pictures from her OnlyFans era, including her lounging on beaches with cocktails in hand. One image shows her in a bikini by the pool, with her tongue out and a drink raised; another captures her on a sun lounger in a sunny destination, radiating relaxation. Such snaps contrast sharply with her current claims of financial strain.
The appeal has ignited fury among working families grappling with rising costs. On X, posts deride her as the “benefits beggar,” with one viral comment stating: “£1,590 a month and still whining for a freebie? Some of us can’t afford basics.”
Welfare advocates have labelled it an exploitation of the system. “Universal Credit supports those in real hardship, not optional getaways,” a Taxpayers’ Alliance spokesperson said.
As first reported by The Sun, Ms Cutter’s crowdfunding bid reflects a surge in personal appeals during the cost-of-living crisis. GoFundMe reports fundraisers for essentials like rent and bills have quadrupled globally in 2024. In the UK, JustGiving has seen 30,000 such pages since 2022, raising nearly £13 million.
Ms Cutter compares her request to others seeking funds for plastic surgery or honeymoons. She said: “If other people can beg for cash on GoFundMe, then why can’t I? I refuse to be labelled selfish. I’m making use of online tools available to everyone.”
She promises to donate any excess to charity, such as a women’s shelter or family mediation service, and hopes to hit her goal in 40 days for a pre-Christmas escape.
She appeals: “A few pounds could make all the difference. Holiday breaks are critical to a mother’s mental health. I want to be the best mum I can be, so help me do that.”
The Department for Work and Pensions verified Ms Cutter’s claim as legitimate but offered no further comment on individuals. With donations stagnant and public anger building, her holiday hangs in the balance.
