The launch of the Seven Families campaign has been welcomed by Unum.
The project organised by the Income Protection Task Force, designed to highlight the benefits of income protection insurance sees families paid as if they had had a policy for a year.
Peter O'Donnell, CEO of Unum, said:"Unum is very proud to be supporting the Seven Families initiative. The programme will illustrate how Income Protection provides a vital back-up plan for individuals and families.
"It will also act as a reminder for employers of the difference offering IP to staff can have in terms of demonstrating they care and providing support through tough times.
"One in ten people have no financial back-up plan if they fall ill, even though 300,000 people every year are unable to work for six months or more due to serious illness. The Seven Families campaign can help address this gap by highlighting the importance and impact of being protected."
Tracey Clarke, the first to benefit from the project, who retains just 2% of her eyesight and will receive £600pm from the campaign, said: "We sold our house and bought a narrowboat, which is a much cheaper and more relaxed way of living.
"It is just about manageable on benefits but this additional money from Seven Families could be life changing.
"Although I never had any functional vision in my left eye from birth, it had never caused a problem. I drove a car, held an advanced driving licence, had a career as a pharmacy technician and did a lot of artwork.
"Then, in 2011, my eyesight began to shut down completely for no diagnosed reason. There is no way that we could have afforded to keep the house and we were facing bankruptcy, but the Seven Families project is going to make an immense difference to us.
"Amongst other things I will be able to buy a laptop with the necessary specialist software that will allow me to work again. I then hope to begin to build a path into writing and publishing, which I can do from the boat."
