Homeless Veteran

Please take the time to read.. a homeless veteran is in need of your help. I first met Dave on the streets of Leeds two weeks ago. I asked him if he was hungry but someone had just bought him some food from Tesco so I offered him a hot drink to keep him warm instead.

I saw him a week later when I asked him if he would like another coffee. He was just so grateful.

On Monday 19th October, he saw me before I saw him and he smiled and waved at me. I grabbed him a coffee and then sat with him on the floor for a bit. The amount of judgemental looks I received from the public was disgusting.

Dave was different, he wasn't like your average 'scrounger'. He didn't look like a druggie - you can tell by the way someone looks if they're on drugs. He didn't smell of smoke so he didn't waste his money or health on cigarettes. I asked him if he took drugs and he said no - yes he could be lying but he was a very genuine person.

It turns out he was in the army, he left because he was getting to old and wanted to do something different. Unfortunately his wife left him as soon as he came out which left him with nothing and resulted in him sleeping in a tent. He also has an 8 year old son and neither of them know he is homeless.

He is grateful for everything anyone gives to him but he showed me inside his bag. It was full of food that people had bought him - he wasn't going hungry, he just desperately wants to find a house.

I said to him that I wasn't able to give him much money but what I could do was bring him coffee and be someone to talk to and care about him. The gratitude and gratefulness in his eyes was just heart warming. He's currently waiting to see if the housing association can house him but so far no luck.

I understand why someone would be skeptical about donating money to a homeless person, I have been before. You're worried they'll spend it irresponsibly but I can make sure it's used correctly and it will help him effectively. A donation of just £1 can rapidly build up and make a difference to Dave's life

As soon as he gets a house, the army can help him and give him a grant to buy his essential needs.