STEVE Fry didn’t give the beggar woman outside his local off-licence a second glance – until she called out his name.
Stunned, it was only then he stopped as she explained to him they had actually been good friends growing up.
“I didn’t speak to her initially, but when she called my name, I was quite taken aback. We spoke a little and she asked if I remembered her – but I didn’t,” said 58 year-old Steve.
“I bought her a hot meal and she insisted we had known each other in the 70s and often gone to discos and youth clubs together. I still didn’t remember her, so after our brief conversation, I made my excuses and went home.
“It was only then that it hit me, and I remembered who she was.
“It really hit a nerve and it has been getting to me whenever I think about her. She was a beautiful, bright young girl when I knew her, and to think her life has gone in such a different direction breaks my heart.”
Steve, who works in Redditch, decided to do something for those sleeping rough this festive season and he and his colleagues at Buildbase in Redditch are rediscovering the true meaning of Christmas by striving to help the homeless.
“When I went into work the next day, and spoke to my boss and colleagues about my experience. I had an idea that instead of our staff of 20 forking out for a slap-up Christmas party, we could forgo one meal and pay for 20 homeless and hungry people to have a hot meal instead,” he said.
“We decided that a foodbank would be the best way to reach the most people and I have been really touched with the response we’ve had.”
So far, people have donated tinned food, packets of biscuits and crackers, boxes of chocolate and other festive foods and anyone who wishes to contribute either with some food or with a cash donation for Redditch Nightstop can do so by popping into the Buidbase store on Ipsley Street.
Steve added: “People often think that Christmas is a happy time – and for those with a family and a bit of cash, it is – but if you haven’t got any money or a place to stay, it must be unbelievably tough.
“Even just a tin of biscuits or a donation of £5 for Nightstop can make a difference to somebody’s Christmas.”
The Buildbase staff have all been getting behind the campaign and so far almost £300 has already been raised for the homeless charity.
Dave Rogers, branch manager, said: “It makes me very proud of how our staff and customers have thought about others at this time of year. Hopefully all food and monetary donations will help those less fortunate than ourselves enjoy a better Christmas.”
To find out more visit https://redditch.foodbank.org.uk/ and http://www.redditchnightstop.co.uk/
