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Hey friends, i need your help!
The happy smiling man in this picture is Craig White.
He drove a BMW car, had his own house, a loving girlfriend and a steady job. He enjoyed socialising with his large circle of friends, regularly enjoyed eating his favourite foods; steak and takeaways and had a beautiful young daughter who adored him. He was living a normal life, just like you and I.
Four years later he died on the City's streets, homeless, cold and alone: but for his dog. He was 37.
Ive recently become aware of the plight of the faceless homeless who we can find in every major town and city, on every continent of the world.
I like many, chose to ignore them on my journey to and from work each day, whilst socialising with friends or going out in the evening. I didnt want any contact with them, i was afraid.
In September this year i found out that an old school friend of mine's brother, Craig, had died on the streets. I knew him, i remember the cute little boy who was always smiling and joking. It didnt make any sense, He wouldnt hurt a flee and he had a loving family so why was he homeless? Ofcourse I couldnt ask them, they were grieving. I just knew i wanted to help by doing something.
Over the past two months my knowledge of homelessness has improved. I used to think they chose that life on the streets or only had themselves to blame. Looking back i cringe at my own naivety. You see there are many reasons a person can become homeless. It could be the break-up of a marriage or relationship; to escape from abuse or violence, the loss of a job (leading to the repossession of a home or inability to pay rent) or an addiction to, or abuse of, prescribed or illegal drugs or alcohol, gambling and even escaping from an arranged marriage. People may also become homeless because of mental illness, although, as with drug or alcohol abuse, some become unwell or develop a problem as a result of becoming homeless. People who have served in the armed forces often find it impossible to cope with civilian life.
Once major thing i have learnt is that - It could happen to any of us through no fault of our own!!!!!
So, prompted by the community enterprise set up in Craigs memory by his family (Coffee4Craig), i started telling people about them and the 'Suspended Coffee Scheme' and asking people to just acknowledge that that homeless person was there by buying them a hot drink or a bacon butty. But i wanted to do more, so i started asking family and friends to donate their unwanted clothing and food to be given out on the streets to the people who really needed them. It continued by donating things myself and making the consious decision not to send Christmas cards this year and to buy 65 pairs of thermal socks instead. Still i wanted to do more........
So im having a sponsored head shave. before Christmas, at the coldest time of year so i can experience the cold they have to endure every moment.
Every pound i raise will be generously matched by my ex-employer Barclays Bank, so here's a chance to get your own back and make a Bank pay up haha. The money will buy much needed winter items: sleeping bags, rucksacks, waterproof clothing, thermal underwear, toiletries, flasks, socks, hats scarves and gloves and food. Every item will be bought at the best price possible and nothing will be wasted.
Whilst i appreciate that money is tight this time of year more than any other the facts are that whilst your sat reading this, safe, warm and probably surrounded by your loved ones or friends, someone (men and woman) are cold, hungry and alone.
Please help in any way you can, thanks Siany xx
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