Homeless man, 28, is housed for Christmas, receiving enough money for six months’ rent and a deposit after a £5,600 GoFundMe campaign started for him by a stranger who took him for a pub lunch goes viral on Twitter
- Harry Beardsley met John, 28, on the street in Reading, Berkshire this week
- He set up a GoFundMe campaign after the pair chatted for hours at a pub
- The page has since raised £5,600 which is enough to rent a room to live in
- John, whose surname is unknown, has also been offered a trial shift
A homeless man has received enough money for six months’ rent and a deposit in just 24 hours after a stranger who took him for lunch set up a GoFundMe campaign which went viral.
Harry Beardsley met John, 28, on the street and took him for food and a game of pool at a pub in Reading, Berkshire.
After chatting for hours, Mr Beardsley decided to pay for a few nights accommodation so John wouldn’t have to sleep rough over Christmas.
He set up a GoFundMe and posted it on Twitter, with the post receiving more than 15,000 retweets in less than 24 hours.
The page has since raised £5,600 – enough to rent a room, buy clothes, and even get a haircut. Mr Beardsley has since closed it to more donations.
The cricketing content creator said he ‘honestly cannot get over the generosity! What a platform’.
In a video put up by Mr Beardsley, John said: ‘Thank you for housing me over Christmas. I’ve never had anything, so thank you.’
Harry Beardsley met John (pictured), 28, on the street and took him for lunch and for a game of pool at a pub in Reading, Berkshire
After chatting for hours, Mr Beardsley decided to pay for a few nights accommodation so John wouldn’t have to sleep rough over Christmas
He wrote: ‘ABSOLUTELY OVERWHELMED WITH THS SUPPORT! We have stopped donations as we now have enough for a deposit, 6 months rent and some money to get him sorted.
‘He has a job offer as well! We are going to see some places later today. Thank you so much to everyone who has helped.’
John has since been offered a trial day at a scaffold company in Woodley, with the potential of a job.
Places Leisure has offered John, whose second name is not known, a three-month gym membership, and another supporter offered life coaching lessons for free.
Mr Beardsley (pictured) decided to help John after meeting up by chance in Reading
Mr Beardsley set up a GoFundMe and posted it on Twitter, with the post receiving more than 15,000 retweets in less than 24 hours
The page has since raised £5,600 – enough to rent a room, buy clothes, and even get a haircut. Mr Beardsley has closed the page to more donations
The cricketing content creator said he ‘honestly cannot get over the generosity! What a platform’
One comment offered John a trial shift at a scaffolding company in Woodley
Annie Amiss said: ‘This is such a brilliant story* John sounds like a nice young man and I do hope this will be the start of a brighter future for him’
John said: ‘I am going to get some rent and a place and get a job. I wish everyone a great 2022 and the rest of your life.’
In his appeal, which had 50,000 likes in 24 hours, Mr Beardsley added: ‘I want to make sure he’s safe and sheltered for Christmas, any donations will be appreciated to help with food, accommodation and food!’
Annie Amiss said: ‘This is such a brilliant story* John sounds like a nice young man and I do hope this will be the start of a brighter future for him.’
Another, @Thatbuilder7, added: ‘You have restored my faith in human nature Harry.’
Steve Devonport said: ‘Sterling work there sir, I salute you! The world needs more people like you.’
Another, @Dannkayy, said: Working class look after the working class.’