This is Ray! He is a lovely guy!

And he needs our help!!

If you are or have been a frequent visitor to Palmerston Road in Southsea in the last 9 years then most of you will either know him or have seen him.

You will find him sat outside WHSMITH in Palmerston Rd most days in the sun, the wind and the rain or the freezing cold selling his copies of the Big Issue. Each day he has a set number to sell and he sits there whatever the weather until he sells every last one.

In recent months his health hasn't been good and is getting worse, but despite that you will still find him in his usual spot with a smile on his face, waving at passers by and cracking a joke or two. Even dog sitting while the owners go off and grab a bit of shopping.

He hasn't had an easy life, in his past he lost everything, his home, his marriage and as a result of that ended up on the streets, homeless for years battling with alcohol addiction.

He luckily got a place in a hostel for alcoholics and over the next 5 years managed to beat his addiction to alcohol and has stayed dry now for the last 15 years.

He recently got given a flat by Portsmouth City Council. Unfortunately having lived in a bedsit he has very little in the way of furnishings, curtains, carpets etc and no funds himself to buy anything. Due to budget cuts etc there are now no longer any grants he can apply for.

I am asking from the bottom of my heart if you can spare some money, however much you can afford would be greatly appreciated, to help this wonderful man turn his flat into a home!

Let's find that Community Spirit and raise the funds he so desperately needs!!

Thank you!