you won’t believe what happened this afternoon when we were out shopping, my wife and I gave a young lad who was obviously cold and sleeping rough a couple of pounds, as we were walking away a couple of fellas told us we were wrong to give him anything as we were encouraging him to stay, I just said I hope they never end up like it Was we wrong or right
I was chatting with a friend who works with homeless and she reckons some of the street beggars are in it just for the money - £150 for a day is the average in Southport.
I don’t usually give but this lad looked young, maybe only 20 and looked so sad, I know what you’re saying though
Prior to retiring I would regularly see a certain dirty looking chap who I knew had a council flat and who was on full benefits, sit on the floor and in shop doorways in the town centre of an afternoon and evening. He would not actually ask for money from passers by as he had caused enough issues in his time to know he would be brought to task for begging should a colleague see him. But he did divulge once when I spoke with him, that he made some £450 to £500 a week on top of his benefits. He was effectively bringing home the same amount of money a month that I was........ In answer to your question....... Yes I feel giving money to them directly can perpetuate the issue of begging...... Donating to a recognised charity ensures the money goes to help them and not enable them to buy alcohol and drugs and perpetuate the situation they are in. Well done for what you did as I feel sure you did what you did with the right intentions....... But in reality the other party you met with may be right but their manner of explaining it was incorrect.
Chances are he probably on the needle Baz ...sad thing is, even if he did earn £ 150 a day he won't be going on a decent slap up which he will need no doubt ...but tins of special brew and a load of wrap's
Sad thing is like most stuff in this world ,the poor ones who have fallen on hard times are tarred by the chancers. Some are genuinely In need .
You were taking a chance in London, opening your wallet in the street, wern't you Bazza? Did the moths not get away?
Right... agree with what others say about charities but loads of kids don’t benefit from that. As regards fags booze and hard drugs then I’d need something if I were living on the streets.
I think you did right Bazza. I give cash and sometimes think wonder if it’s a con but tbh I’d sooner lose a few quid to a conner sometimes than not give it to someone who is living either on the street or in hostels. There but for the grace of God etc etc
