https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/u ... them-death" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thank you for your time and understanding and please give generously to charities to help those affected.

Edit: don't know why I posted.

Shock horror, a charity asking for the public to donate to them instead of the beneficials directly.

Diesel wrote:Padiham Tesco's actually told me to stop buying him 'stuff' but could be have money instead?

Seriously?

FactualFrank wrote:Seriously?

I've deleted my original post, but because you've already seen it, I'll give you the courtesy of replying: yes, yes he did, the cheeky beggar.

FactualFrank wrote:Seriously?

I think he means Jaffa himself asks for money rather than food. Not Tesco the store asking him.

Quickenthetempo wrote:I think he means Jaffa himself asks for money rather than food. Not Tesco the store asking him.

Is he called Jaffa? He seems a decent sort, but obviously isn't, is he?

Ex army with a blinkered past. I'm told one of the best amateur footballers round here in his day. Drink and drug problem but looks after dogs while people shop and cleans up litter outside the shop.

Good and bad I suppose.

Always felt sorry for the homeless and a problem that really frustrated me. However all that changed this week. And you shouldnt tar everyone with the same brush but...

(Dont usually like talking about what I give and to whom because there is a lot where people purely do it out of a desire to be recognised for their deed. But fewl its relevant in this case.)

Saw one outside Asda. Know him from a previous life. Id sat and talked with him and given him a decent sum of money elsewhere before. But afterwards felt it may have been the wrong thing to do given what they may or may not spend it on. That said its their prerogative and my concsience was clear.

Long story short seen the same guy this week. Had a chat with him again and Gave him the couple of quid i had in change. 'Can you do any more?' Bit cheeky but if theyre that desperate you can understand... rather than just throw money at the situation i figured id get him something that i know would be useful and needed. So i filled a bag with food, fruit, water, toiletries, fleece blanket, pillow etc.

Came outside and gave it to him. And his response - wtf am i meant to do with that, could you not have given me the money?

I nearly said give it someone homeless...

Really ****** me off. And when I spoke with someone who knows the guy in question they confirmed they can get housing. They can get food. They can get money. But they dont want to. And blame everyone else for their issues.

Ive always been soft for the homeless. And i guess many are in **** situations and cant help it. But i was livid at the attitude shown at someones good deed.

I should have left the receipt in the bag so he couldve got the cash...

Will stick to the big issue in future. At least theyre working for their money!

In the long run his rudeness has saved me money because I wont donate to any of them again. Shame. But there you go.

I have witnessed this type of behaviour as well, I tend to buy them some food or a drink when I walk past (nothing like cricketfields generosity though) most are appreciative if honest. The other week I took one in to the local chip shop handed over the money for a bag of chips and walked off a couple of days later the woman told me he had asked for the money and didn't want the chips. Thankfully she told him chips or nothing.

Anyway the real reason I posted on here is Jaffa outside Padiham Tesco. I served in the Army with a guy who was nicknamed Jaffa, was a very good Goalie made me jump when I read the name on here hopefully not the same guy. The guy I knew was nicknamed Jaffa as his last name was Peel and he always told us his Brother was Nathan Peel once of Burnley. He wasn't from Burnley/ Padiham itself though over Clitheroe way I think so might not be same guy. If it is he's a good guy or was when I knew him anyway makes me sad thinking about it.

Can’t tar everybody with the same same brush as crickets mentions above. Would hate to see somebody who truly needs food miss out but, if I needed food, that’s what I’d be asking for....I suspect.

Fortunately the world of homelessness, drugs and addiction isn’t something most of us will experience. But, don’t look down on all of these people...there’s always a reason...sometimes they’ve made a mistake, sometimes something outside of their control has happened. And of course there’s always the unscrupulous!

If you’re reading this, I reckon you’re intelligent enough to make your own mind up when and what to give.

I used to give a couple of quid whenever I passed a dirty unshaven bloke, sat on the pavement with a blanket over his legs and a scruffy dog by his side. These days I no longer bother, there are so many places these people can go where charities are willing to help with accommodation, food and other things that can help that I only give to those charities. It means that what I give goes to helping those who want it, and for the purpose I'm giving it for.

Have you lot been reading the Daily Mail again?....... You know it rots your brain....RIGHT?.... IN Rowls' case he'll have been reading the Sunday Times... He feels it's a better class of TRASH.
Oooh AND.... they could get a house and food and money for Free, if only they weren't so ******* lazy......RIGHT?.. They'd rather sleep rough, and face all the violent,drunken, insane, people, roaming at night while you're all tucked up in your cozy homes........AND freezing AND wet.......give me a break....Typical Tories..........SO SAD!

Some don't know where to go, some don't know what help is available, some have found their situation has happened in a short space of time.
A large number struggle with psychological issues such as PST, severe depression, abuse, addiction and a whole host of things that prevent them from seeking or accepting some of the help available.
Charities working in this field on a daily basis are better placed at targeting need than I am throwing a discretionary couple of quid in someones direction.

My wife always gives a few bob to them. There's a lad on the subway on the way to the bus station who she always gives to depending on how many goals are scored in the match. He did well last New Years eve when we beat Sunderland 4-1 as he got a fiver

Completely understand that many if not all have fell into the situation due to hard times. Often out of their control.

Would I want to be on the streets? Would I ****. Its a horrible situation. And an increasing problem.

But ultimately its made me realise how naive ive been to give them money.

I thought buying food etc was the wiser option. Clearly not. Seems like the more you give the less they appreciate it and more they want.

I will continue to help the charities and buy from the magazine sellers.

But I feel the individuals need to help themselves. The situations an epidemic in this country. In southampton saturday i parked my car in a multi story and 2 sleeping in there where you pay. Wover 24 hours later when i get the car theyre still there. Not even moved. What kind of life is it?

Many different causes. But drink and more often drugs are the biggest cause.

Sad. But as the person who i referred to aboves own family said they need to take more responsibility for themselves.

Imo we all have the same oppprtunities in life to make what we want of life. We just dont all have the same desire.

JarrowClaret wrote:I have witnessed this type of behaviour as well, I tend to buy them some food or a drink when I walk past (nothing like cricketfields generosity though) most are appreciative if honest. The other week I took one in to the local chip shop handed over the money for a bag of chips and walked off a couple of days later the woman told me he had asked for the money and didn't want the chips. Thankfully she told him chips or nothing.

Anyway the real reason I posted on here is Jaffa outside Padiham Tesco. I served in the Army with a guy who was nicknamed Jaffa, was a very good Goalie made me jump when I read the name on here hopefully not the same guy. The guy I knew was nicknamed Jaffa as his last name was Peel and he always told us his Brother was Nathan Peel once of Burnley. He wasn't from Burnley/ Padiham itself though over Clitheroe way I think so might not be same guy. If it is he's a good guy or was when I knew him anyway makes me sad thinking about it.

No, it's not the same guy.

Food is the last thing on people's mind if on drugs or drink. They will only get hungry afterwards.

Taffy on the wing wrote:Have you lot been reading the Daily Mail again?....... You know it rots your brain....RIGHT?.... IN Rowls' case he'll have been reading the Sunday Times... He feels it's a better class of TRASH.
Oooh AND.... they could get a house and food and money for Free, if only they weren't so ******* lazy......RIGHT?.. They'd rather sleep rough, and face all the violent,drunken, insane, people, roaming at night while you're all tucked up in your cozy homes........AND freezing AND wet.......give me a break....Typical Tories..........SO SAD!

I wouldn't ever bother posting a link to a Mail article here because people turn off their critical faculties for that. Whether or not you're trying to be "funny" or "fishing" you might do well to note the article links to the New Statesman which is just about the most forward-thinking left wing journal in the country.

You'd do well to read it and at least try to understand it. Particularly the bits where the author explains that giving money to homeless people can effectively kill them.