A powerful way to help the homeless
An engineer organised a charity collection of essential food and supplies for a charity helping people across Maidstone, Medway and Swale.
Julian Tidd, a planning engineer at UK Power Networks, was moved by the plight of those sleeping rough to support Medway Street Angels.
He established collection points at the electricity firm’s offices in Maidstone and Crawley, enlisting the help of colleagues to donate clothing, shoes, toiletries, food, drinks, dog food and camping gear, like sleeping bags and tents.
Amber Gilbert, founder of Medway Street Angels, said: “Julian’s donations have made a huge difference and impact to the lives of those we help. Without efforts like this we could not offer the support and care we are capable of. We’d like to say a huge thank you.”
Julian, 50, who is married and lives in Halling, said: “When I looked at how much we spent on Christmas and how little people on the street have I knew I had to help. If I am outside for 10 minutes I can feel how cold it is, so I cannot imagine having to sleep outdoors.
“When you read the background stories behind homeless people and how they ended up there you realise that we’re all potentially just three months away from being homeless. I wanted to support a charity which could really help.”
He was overwhelmed to find he had filled more than 20 bags and boxes of supplies.
He said: “That put a big smile on my face and if it keeps one person alive that will make me a lot happier than anything I have done over Christmas.”