Zedrush Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 Last night 25 of us went up to London to hand out wrapped presents and food to the homeless. We only made 30 bags of presents and 40 sandwiches, this was handed out within the first 30 minutes leaving many of us having to go to nearby shops to buy more food and necessities for more we came across. Even if we had 100 gifts we would of still been left with more needed. These are some friends I made last night. Nathan and Mark, they are around 24-27 years of age, they are alcoholics and they were both emotional when they received their presents. They asked me not to give them money as they said it would only feed their addiction, and they were so happy they had toothpaste, gloves, sanitising wipes given to them. I listen to their stories and realised that they share a lot of wants and desires in life as myself. Only difference is they never had the family support i have. Mark grew up as a foster child, got fed up being passed off to different families was just the beginning of his life and now for past 4 years living on the streets. He lost his job which led him to being evicted from his flat. He has a daughter but his turn to drink drifted her apart. He has no idea where she is at which point he broke down crying saying he just wants to know she is okay. We seem to have this false idea that the council looks after these people, and that they are simply to lazy to get off the streets, for the first time I realised that this was a lie, despite what we might be led to believe these people are hurting and do not want this life, false council promises, names lost in paperwork on waiting lists, housing is short and hostels are very dangerous places who prioritise in housing the drug addicts and violently insane forcing people like Nathan and Mark to seek safer refuge on the streets. Although he has been woken up by drunk louts urinating on him, he says this is the least of his worries. Nathan said that homeless women have it worse, they hide on weekends in fear of being attacked and raped, or drug induced for prostitution. I gave them my email as they can use computers in libraries for free at certain times, I will be staying in touch with them as many people in this project will be with the people they met. When I got home I got into my warm bed, and I couldn't sleep. I kept thinking how cold it was outside and how I take for granted what I have. I thought about if Mark will ever see his daughter again and if he does will she accept him. This is now wanting me to keep doing this and will be doing this again very soon. Please join the children of Christ fan page on Facebook to be updated if you would like to join in and live in or around the london area. We had Muslim and Jewish and athiests joining us last night, you don't have to be a Christian, you just have to have a caring heart, thats all we ask. Thankyou and God Bless. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Children- ... 1672327972 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bockaaarck Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 Fantastic work Zedrush, we've been looking at volunteering for a while, your post here might just give us the nudge to get on with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zedrush Posted December 18, 2011 Author Share Posted December 18, 2011 Fantastic work Zedrush, we've been looking at volunteering for a while, your post here might just give us the nudge to get on with it. let me know what you get up to, would love to post it up on our site if we can get you some funding and volenteers in your area. Or if you live in london come join us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilp Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 Very touching and inspiring message. When I was last down south working in London, I was shocked at the amount of Scottish people who are homeless down there. I spoke with a guy for a bit and he said it was the first normal conversation he had took part in for weeks. He was very grateful of someone just having a chat and listening to him. He was originally a lawyer and he got stuck on drink, lost his wife and kids and ended up homeless. I couldn't believe that such an intelligent man ended up like this. He then explained how it transformed to a drug addiction and now there is nobody to help him. He can't afford to move home and relies on handouts from coffee places for homeless. I could tell he was embarrassed about how it all happened. Genuinely felt sorry for the guy. He was grateful for a burger an drink from mcd's though and for a couple of quid the difference it makes to someone's spirit is tremendous. More people should take part in stuff to help people like this who genuinely want a better life and not to be on drugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vik54 Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 Well done for highlighting such a worthy cause Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LRF4N Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 Thanks for sharing that zedrush. Id stopped giving to homeless people because the ones I would give food etc would throw it back in my face and ask for money. Not just here but abroad as well, including the most holy city in the Muslim world in Saudi when I was on the pilgrimage. That really annoyed me and thats why I stopped so it's nice to hear of the guys who appreciate peoples generosity as iv not really witnessed that. Also makes u think these are the people that government benefits were designed for- genuine poverty stricken folk- but nowadays it's the scumbags who don't need it being paid for sitting on their backsides Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zedrush Posted December 18, 2011 Author Share Posted December 18, 2011 Very touching and inspiring message. When I was last down south working in London, I was shocked at the amount of Scottish people who are homeless down there. I spoke with a guy for a bit and he said it was the first normal conversation he had took part in for weeks. He was very grateful of someone just having a chat and listening to him. He was originally a lawyer and he got stuck on drink, lost his wife and kids and ended up homeless. I couldn't believe that such an intelligent man ended up like this. He then explained how it transformed to a drug addiction and now there is nobody to help him. He can't afford to move home and relies on handouts from coffee places for homeless. I could tell he was embarrassed about how it all happened. Genuinely felt sorry for the guy. He was grateful for a burger an drink from mcd's though and for a couple of quid the difference it makes to someone's spirit is tremendous. More people should take part in stuff to help people like this who genuinely want a better life and not to be on drugs. It is shocking how wrong we can be with our stereotypes, many of the people we met they were highly intelligent, had a successful job then they lose it and their whole world and family fall apart and they start turning to drink. Just to have a conversation and be allowed time to be heard makes a huge difference for these unfortunate, some had their own business and the current climate left them dry, house repossessed and living on the streets. Some were not alcholics and have been on the streets for a year, but because they are single and have no addiction they are left on the bottom of the list. Crazy system we live in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zedrush Posted December 18, 2011 Author Share Posted December 18, 2011 Thanks for sharing that zedrush. Id stopped giving to homeless people because the ones I would give food etc would throw it back in my face and ask for money. Not just here but abroad as well, including the most holy city in the Muslim world in Saudi when I was on the pilgrimage. That really annoyed me and thats why I stopped so it's nice to hear of the guys who appreciate peoples generosity as iv not really witnessed that. Also makes u think these are the people that government benefits were designed for- genuine poverty stricken folk- but nowadays it's the scumbags who don't need it being paid for sitting on their backsides Everyone we met last night were thankful for the food and hot coffee. I don't think any of the group got asked for money, I think if they throw food back they are likely just drug addicts or scam artists. You can tell on the look of some of these people they were genuine, just lost and hurt. But you are right you have to be careful with some of them. There are also some crazy nut cases out there, who tried punching one of the guys in the group. Restrained him but I had to shut of my mind where normally i'd hit back, but this guy was just out of it and just lost, I would of jeopardised the whole project had I done that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilp Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 Thanks for sharing that zedrush. Id stopped giving to homeless people because the ones I would give food etc would throw it back in my face and ask for money. Not just here but abroad as well, including the most holy city in the Muslim world in Saudi when I was on the pilgrimage. That really annoyed me and thats why I stopped so it's nice to hear of the guys who appreciate peoples generosity as iv not really witnessed that. Also makes u think these are the people that government benefits were designed for- genuine poverty stricken folk- but nowadays it's the scumbags who don't need it being paid for sitting on their backsides Everyone we met last night were thankful for the food and hot coffee. I don't think any of the group got asked for money, I think if they throw food back they are likely just drug addicts or scam artists. You can tell on the look of some of these people they were genuine, just lost and hurt. But you are right you have to be careful with some of them. There are also some crazy nut cases out there, who tried punching one of the guys in the group. Restrained him but I had to shut of my mind where normally i'd hit back, but this guy was just out of it and just lost, I would of jeopardised the whole project had I done that Dont think he would have lasted long with the likes of yourself So true though. What I hate is the guys that have houses and had chances and still beg for money for drugs. As soon as they have a house they get benefits for food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LRF4N Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 I think the difference is where time is spent working with them to find out about their pasts and help them move forward they appreciate that and any help u offer. Most people like me would give them some change and walk past or just walk past. The more projects like these all year round the better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoff-r Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 Good on you mate I think it's very hard for people to understand the lives of these people and what leads them to being homeless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 I am very seriously impressed. Good on you buddy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tprice Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sMMAshzilla Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 With a background in Benefit administration, it frustrates me to see people like this struggling, whereas others (entire families) make claiming benefits their career! This post was really nice to see and just stories like this will breakdown the barriers and give people (like me) more understanding. Good work people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoogyRev Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John tarantula Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 good on you! easy enough for anyone to lose their home with a run of bad luck in job and family situations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 As I said to you earlier Jay, you are a very inspirational character and with someone like you to help these guys along they have the support to get back on their feet! I dodn't have to know her to be sure that you're Mum would most definitely be very proud of you mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zedrush Posted December 18, 2011 Author Share Posted December 18, 2011 As I said to you earlier Jay, you are a very inspirational character and with someone like you to help these guys along they have the support to get back on their feet! I dodn't have to know her to be sure that you're Mum would most definitely be very proud of you mate. thanks so much bud, if it wasn't for the group of people and support to do this there was no way it could of been done, they worked their butt off last night showing compassion and actually siting with the homeless and making a connection. We all had blue ribbons on our arms we gave that to the people we met, to show a friendship connection and that when times are tough they can hold the ribbon and know they have friends who care about them and will remember their names Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronzee Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 I don't have to know her to be sure that you're Mum would most definitely be very proud of you mate. That's just what what I was thinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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