Windsor’s beggars offered bus with beds – but say no thanks!
BeGGARs outside Windsor Castle have been offered free accommodation – but some are refusing as they fear missing out on making money from royal wedding spectators.
A bus with beds for ten people run by a charity drove around the Berkshire town yesterday – giving the homeless the opportunity to sleep onboard.
It comes after Windsor council leader simon Dudley caused outrage when he called for rough sleepers to be ‘cleared out’ of the town in time for the ceremony.
Michael Longsmith, the boss of the bus charity, said: ‘I’ve been told some are earning at least £100 a day outside the castle – so it can be hard to get them away.
‘Also, if they haven’t earned enough to pay for their fix by the curfew, they’ll stay out there instead until they’ve got enough for drugs.
‘We’ve been down here for the past few weeks to build up relations so they trust us.’
several beggars yesterday said they would refuse the offer, either because of the strict rules onboard or because they believed it to be a stunt.
One homeless man, who refused to be named, said: ‘Why are they coming now? It’s just for the royal wedding, to get us away from the cameras.’
The Ark Project – which has a budget of £50,000 a year and relies on volunteers – runs the bus in Reading and claims to have helped 40 homeless people in the past six months find housing. It has a strict curfew in place so that those sleeping on the bus must be in their bunk by bedtime at 9pm. They are then woken at 8am, given a shower and breakfast, and taken to the local council.
CeO Mr Longsmith, 42, a born-again Christian, said they had been planning to come to Windsor for several months and were hoping to use the Royal Wedding for publicity. The project relies solely on donations and they are looking to expand – particularly into Windsor. since arriving yesterday morning, he said three homeless people had signed up. The charity had also paid £400 for two others to stay at the Holiday Inn express since sunday night.
But at least three beggars have said they were refusing to stay on the bus because of the strict rules.
Rough sleeper Andy, 38, said: ‘It’s a nice gesture but I’m not sure – you have to abide by their rules and they’re too strict. I like to stay up later.’
It comes after police were spotted removing the belongings of homeless people off the street on Tuesday. A Thames valley Police spokesman said: ‘A scheme has been set up for those who choose, to store their belongings at the Windsor Homeless Project during the Royal Wedding, and our officers have been assisting with transport of belongings, however this is entirely voluntary to ensure the safety of the homeless community.’
‘Some are earning at least £100 a day’