Story
Homeless Dave (Hampstead), who I befriended over 6 months
TLDR
Been volunteering with homeless charities for 20 years; Berlin will be my 7th marathon, despite setbacks and injuries; homeless people often bear a disproportionate brunt of our capitalist excesses; See T Courtney 'Four Feet Under', D Lavelle 'Down and Out'; have a soft spot for the homeless and would be SUPER GRATEFUL for any contribution; thank you!!
Books refs:
https://www.tamsencourtenay.com/all-about-four-feet-under
My Story
Growing up Christian, I've always remembered Jesus's standard for "true" Christianity was not religious fervour but one's love for the least: he said, when we feed the hungry and cloth the homeless, we do it to him. Who knew? (Matt 25:31-46)
Capitalist cities like NY and London punish the homeless disproportionately. They flock here for a chance to receive more in donations. But cities are cold and calculative. And the homeless are masked behind the noise. And the juxtaposition of wealth and activities against one's public isolation can hurt.
I've volunteered at the Bowery Mission in New York, in the Singapore Prisons, and with various shelters in London.
I'm really proud to now run and fundraise for The Connection at St. Martin's!
https://www.connection-at-stmartins.org.uk/
I've visited The Connection, located at Trafalgar Square. It is a four-storeyed building which serves a temporary refuge for the homeless. They have a canteen serving hot meals, shower facilities, a games room, an art room, a computer room, and more.
Even the most successful of us struggle with self-esteem and confidence from time to time; what more, those who for extended periods are ignored by the masses because they smell, are deemed dangerous, can't speak properly or look diseased.
The Connection serves as a temporary refuge - a balm in the dessert - for the homeless.
Every penny raised will go a long way to helping a homeless person's hunger, self-esteem and soul.
This will be my 7th marathon but a challenging one due to prior injuries and challenges to my training schedule. Nonetheless, it's genuinely for a worthy cause which I hope you can support!
Thank you for your generosity!
