By Fatz - @MrFatzTv
You may be asking yourself what got me starting on helping homeless people in the first place and why did I choose Brighton?
THE STORY..
It is a simple story, which actually starts with my own issues with drink and drugs. As a young man roughly mid twenties I was addicted to the usual nights out, fuelled by Cocain, alcohol, arguments, drama and the rest of what the vast majority of society believes to be ‘normal’..
It was on a normal night out in Brighton, with £200+ in my pocket ready to spend it on alcohol and some junk food to end.. Ready to get messy with the ‘Lads’..
It was walking along the Brighton seafront where I passed two homeless people, it was cold and they was both wrapped up warm with a few blankets. Myself and 5 others passed them without even making eye contact.
Then I glanced up to the left of me over the road was a fish and chip shop. For some unknown reason and I have no idea why I really had the urge to buy these homeless people a hot dinner. Kind gesture had I gone along with it, but I didn’t..
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“BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD” – Mahatma Gandhi
You see I kept walking, thinking about it, looking back and wondering why I didn’t take action. Was it because what my friends may say to me, or was I afraid I would be rejected by the homeless people.
No matter the reason I didn’t take action..
It bothered be so much the night was ruined, I argued with friends, went home early and didn’t stop thinking about helping homeless people.
Helping homeless in brighton!
So it was the next day I decided to take action. I couldn’t let the feeling slip away and not actually do anything. I knew it was cold out and the homeless would have loved a hot meal, so I decided to ask myself what else would some homeless like..
I got online and ordered thick hats, scarfs, gloves and socks. I also went to the local shops and got lighters, food, water, tissues and little snacks for them all and created little gift bags.
After I had loaded up the bags with all these supplies I went over to Brighton on the train from Eastbourne, a little nervous and worried what people would think.
No to tell the truth I was scared of the public, the homeless, the discomfort of approaching strangers, even if I was allowed to or not. A thought of would I get in trouble!? Because we all know how some react to giving to others, especially homeless..
But off I set, gift bags ready..
WOW is all I can say from the very beginning! From leaving the station and approaching my first homeless person I was scared. Then I was welcomed with a handshake, a blessing and a smile. I knew at that point I did something right and I wanted to do more.
After taking the time to help 18 homeless people and hearing some of their terrible heart aching stories, I couldn’t help feel a little change inside myself. It was new, different and eye opening.
The first time I done this it wasn’t filmed or photographed, but since then some have been documented.