A MUSICIAN has launched a campaign to help a young homeless man who she stopped to talk to in Maidenhead.
Sophie Leavy, of Maidenhead, took the time to introduce herself to Jake, who was sat outside Wooten Way Sainsburys on January 31.
While chatting to him, she found out he grew up locally with his grandparents, who had passed away when he was a teenager.
Now Mrs Leavy wants to do all she can to help Jake get back on his feet, which is why she’s recently set up a GoFundMe page.
She said on the page: “He lost his home recently and has been trying to get somewhere even in the interim.”
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She added he’s been living in a tent but that has started to fail and his belongings got wet.
“I can’t imagine being wet and with no way of getting warm or dry, in that bitter cold,” she said.
And Mrs Leavy explained when Jake went to the council for help he was told he needed proof that he was homeless.
After telling the council where he was pitched up he told Mrs Leavy no one came to see him after three days.
With an original goal of £500, Mrs Leavy’s fundraiser has already raised more than £2,000 which will go towards getting Jakes’ life back on track.
Mrs Leavy added: “He is gentle and timid, he wants to work and get himself back on his feet.
“He has literally nothing, but he has a good heart, and we are a good community, how can we continue to walk past? Watch this suffering?
“If you see Jake, say hello.
“He said I was the first person to speak to him in such a long time.”
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A community meeting will also be held on Friday, February 11 at Claire’s Court School, on College Avenue, at 6pm to see what else can be done to help Jake.
For anyone who wants to get involved, email sophieleavy1985@gmail.com.
Visit GoFundMe to donate.
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