I NOW HAVE A PASSION AND A REASON TO LIVE ON....

With the £1425.00 I was able to save in a community savings account during my time selling the Big Issue and with the support of a true friend I have now settled and enjoy living in a rented studio flat in the heart of the Cotswolds.

I was given a bike by a wonderful community charity and I literally "got on my bike"!.

Additionally I received great support from the lovely Salvation Army and the beautiful people at the Quakers.

I was able to purchase basic tools and cleaning equipment and with the support of The Guardian Angel Suicide Prevention Project.

 I produced 1,000 leaflets and distributed these to local homes advertising my role in the community which includes:

Dog walking, cleaning vehicles and cleaning homes.

I enjoy these roles but above all the service which I provide that is the most valuable is:

Providing a befriending service whereby  I can sit down with someone who is lonely - which also benefits me as I am known as a real chatterbox!

This valuable service enables the family of a loved one to have a break for themselves for as we know caring for someone can be relentless and exhausting so breaks are vital for ones own well being and quality of life.

We all know that finding time to catch up with family or friends or to simply rest can make all the difference to how one feels.

No doubt after a welcome break the carer will feel recharged and rejuvenated ie a visit to a park, taking the dog for a walk, a relaxing lunch with friends or a visit to the cinema.

In essence I experienced a really torrid time in losing my parents within 25 days of each other and I succumbed to depression which resulted in me occasioning self harm thereby permanently losing the use of my left arm.

I want now, by the grace of God to make a success of my life.

I cannot sit idly by and accept that I have no bright future - I need to be strong and live my life to the benefit of others.

My Mum used to say "BE AWARE OF THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS".

I know this to be true through my time on the streets selling the Big Issue to now being  welcomed back "home" and given a roof over my head to meeting really lovely people who encourage me and sustain me.

The alternative - were I to now relent and fail - would be to return to the streets or perhaps succumb to depression and perhaps end my life.

I want to now look forward - to be someone - to be the man my parents would be proud of.

Ideally I would like to extend my services to include gardening and painting and decorating.

I am ambitious but also a realist, I am the tortoise not the hare!

 I would now like to buy a cheap secondhand van and buy the necessary tools and equipment to really make this project a success - hence my appeal to new found friends to support me PLEASE!.

love and best wishes 

Anthony 

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