Well, here it goes, my name is Richard and i am appealing to one’s generosity or guilt, it does not matter to me, as long as I can help make a difference in one person’s life by replacing John’s van. Please donate whatever you are able to, small or big it will all make a massive difference in John’s life.

The day met John Cleary...

I met John a few weeks ago at the Corso in Manly, it was 7pm on a Sunday evening and all the beach goers were busy lining up for their last ice cream on their way to the ferry.

John was sitting in front of the Anglican church and was chewing on some soggy chips that look like someone had left behind.

As I whizzed past on my Electra, he caught my eye, but I kept riding until I reached my beloved watering hole at the end of the Corso. It is only then that it dawned on me whether I have a quick schooner before picking up dinner for the family at home or double back and see if I could be of service to this old guy that was quietly minding his own business staring into his chips. Call it guilt or the fear of falling into the trap of being too comfortable and looking the other way and being a hypocrite (since I had just participated the 6pm mass at our parish), I decided to double back and approached John.

Hello! I said....

John looked up, somewhat surprised that someone was addressing him.

I crunched up a note in my hand and handed it to him without making too much fuss and so no one saw the transaction. John smiled, extended his hand and placed the note in his pocket.

After an awkward pause, as if John did not know what else I wanted, he said while pointing at the church in front of us, “My Grandfather built this”. I felt a sense of pride in his voice... I sat down beside him and started chatting, wow…John spoke and spoke and spoke.

John told me that he was living in his van since he lost his house through some seriously shocking circumstances, he is recovering from jaw cancer where all his teeth had to be removed, (hence not minding the soggy chips) and he has never been able to walk properly since breaking his leg in a motorbike accident, along with the many other struggles not to mention being 80yrs young and not being able to find work.

When I asked how I could help, John replied “All I want is a bed and stomach full of food”.

John explained that he moved from a full three-bedroom home to his van. All his belongings are in his van, hence he is only able to sleep in the fetal position... He pointed at his legs and mentioned the hip cramps and pains he deals with as he is unable to lay properly in his van.

Unfortunately for John, his van has been riddled with issues since he bought it a little while back (not to mention its soon due for registration at the end of the month) to top it off, the van has an infestation of bed bugs and cockroaches, which even after very hastily bombing it myself with a dozen bug spray bombs over the next few days, the bestioles are still swarming and breeding, now I understood all the bite marks that I noticed on Johns arms and legs.

After a couple of hours and my phone running hot with the kids wanting dinner and wondering where i was, I didn’t have the heart to leave John... i felt i had to do more...

Since then I have put John up at the local Motel however unfortunately, I am unable to continue this and Motel living is not a sustainable long-term option. In this time i have sat down with John on many occasions showing him how to use his new phone, listening to story's about how he used to race motorbikes and make his own diesel, amongst countless of interesting stories... John wants nothing more than a place he can call home. Although home for John as he mentioned, is a flat-bed truck where he can bolt a garden shed to and have a mattress he can sleep comfortably on :)

John has gone through a tough time his whole life and yes, I believe that he has also been mentally affected, although still wanting to be an advocate for the homeless people in the area... Just like John hasn't given up, i couldn't give up on him and i hope you wont either...

Please donate whatever you are able to, and Help John get a new home, good nights sleep and full belly.

God bless you all for making the effort & not turning the other way….