Facebook appeal is helping Ray to make fresh start
AMAN who became homeless after his son died and his marriage broke down said he is ‘overwhelmed’ by the lifechanging response to his story being shared on social media.
Kind-hearted Ashley McGiffin saw Ray Keating sat outside Tesco Express in Shaw and started to talk to him and discovered the heartbreaking chain of events that led to him being on the streets.
In the week since Ashley shared Ray’s story on Facebook, a house became available for him and people who read about him have offered him furniture and clothes to give him a fresh start.
As word spread and the post was shared, he was also offered a parttime job and counselling sessions and even a haircut.
Ray, 38, who grew up in Heywood, said: “It’s been brilliant. The amount of people who have donated things is amazing.
“The people around here have got such big hearts, they feed me up well. It’s overwhelming.
“To be honest, people speaking to me is worth more than money. I really appreciate it.”
Speaking about the loss of his son to meningitis and the subsequent breakdown of his marriage, he added: “It annihilated me.
“I was married but our son died to meningitis, he was only two. Everything went downhill from there.”
He didn’t have anyone to turn to as his parents had passed away.
But Ray is excited about his new start and added: “I’m buzzing, I really am. I wasn’t expecting all this help and support. I’ve got some counselling sessions lined up to and a job. It’s a fresh, new start.”
Ashley said: “It’s been amazing. I never expected it to get 50 shares and now it’s had almost 1,000.
“I went over to him because he was reading a book, not asking for any money, just sat minding his own business. I asked what he was reading and sat with him for a bit.
“He explained that his son had died around 18 months ago and he has been on the streets for around a year. I just felt so bad for him so wanted to try and help kit his new house out for him.
“So I posted on Facebook and the response was amazing. People have offered so much we could fill three houses. I can’t explain how good people have been.”
“I wasn’t expecting all this help and support”