‘I’M HARD WORKING AND I JUST HOPE MY PATIENCE PAYS OFF’
Unemployed man with homemade sign sits by roadside for hours
AN UNEMPLOYED man hopes to find work after sitting in a lay-by for hours with a homemade ‘give me a job’ sign.
Adrian Gunston pitched up a stool on a patch of grass off Clayton Road, Newcastle, after hitting hard times during lockdown.
The 52-year-old is a full-time carer for his wife Andrea, but normally supplements his income with his keyboard playing. But the work has dried up and now he is desperate for a job to help pay the bills.
With that goal in mind, he spent nearly three hours in the spot on Tuesday evening and was planning to return today unless an offer comes his way.
Adrian picked Clayton Road after he was abused in his home town of Crewe.
His sign reads: “Please take me on – any sales work. I’m reliable, hardworking and want to succeed. Can start ASAP. Thanks.”
Adrian said: “My wife is disabled, but Carer’s Allowance doesn’t really cover the bills on its own.
“She’s been in and out of hospital before, but is okay at the moment, which is why I’d like a job.
“Two years ago I was in poor health with prostate issues, but I’m doing well now.
“I’ve been looking for a while, but sadly, there’s a lot of people out of work at the moment. I’m after some part-time hours just to help us get by.”
Adrian’s parents live in Newcastle, as did he until he married in 1995. So he says he thought he would ‘try my luck’ in the town.
“Some people in Crewe can be a bit unpleasant, so I thought it might be better here,” he said.
“I’ve had a decent reaction, with a few drivers beeping their horns, and some people have come up to take a photo of my sign. Lots of people have taken my details.”
Adrian has previously promoted his keyboard business in Queen’s Park in Crewe, and has even put an advert on the side of his car, but with little joy.
He added: “Before lockdown I could make extra cash playing music. It never brought in that much, but every little helped.
“Ideally I’d like a job in sales. I’ve previously worked as an in-store demonstrator for a window company. Something along those lines would be good.
“I’m hard-working and can turn my hand to most things. I’m not too great on a computer, which is why I decided on the old-fashioned approach.
“I have a car, so would be prepared to travel to Stoke-on-trent, Stafford or Newcastle, and within Cheshire too.
“I plan to come back on Thursday and try again. It’s a good spot and there’s quite a bit of passing traffic.
“I find it’s an easy way to advertise and I hope my patience pays off.”
Anyone interested in offering Adrian a job can call him on 07535 953369.