All activity

GoFundMe bio On 16th February, I started going into Belfast every lunchtime with food for people sleeping rough. I’ve done it every day since. It might not sound like much. A hot meal A drink A quick conversation A familiar face showing up again tomorrow But doing this every day has shown me just how much the small things can mean when somebody has very little. So I’ve decided to take it a step further. I’m going to spend 3 nights sleeping rough on the streets of Belfast. Not because I believe three nights gives me any right to claim I understand homelessness. It doesn’t. I know exactly when my three nights end. I know I have somewhere to go afterwards. Many of the people I meet every day don’t have that certainty. The purpose is simple: Raise awareness of the reality people are living in every night and raise enough money to keep our daily lunchtime food run going. I’ll document the experience honestly, speak with people along the way where appropriate, and hopefully give people watching a slightly better understanding of what sleeping rough actually looks and feels like when the city empties and everyone else goes home. This isn’t about pretending I can solve homelessness. I can’t. But I can keep showing up. And I’ve learned that consistency matters. Every donation will go towards continuing to provide the food we take into Belfast each day. £5 helps. £10 helps. A share helps. It all keeps the next lunch going out. I started this on the 16th February and, God willing, I intend to keep going. Three nights for me. For some people, there is no scheduled fourth morning when they get to go home. Thank you for helping me continue showing up. Quietly Properly Together Mark ☝️✝️❤️⚓️

We’ve tried to build a place where people can get a breakfast, a conversation, a helping hand, or simply know that someone gives a damn. We’ve fed the homeless every week. We’ve provided free breakfasts to schoolchildren who needed them. We’ve supported local families during difficult times. We’ve raised money for people facing unimaginable circumstances. And through it all, we’ve tried to do it quietly, properly, together. The reality is that the last few months have been some of the hardest we’ve faced. Trade has dropped significantly, while the costs of running the business continue to rise. At the same time, I’ve continued the community work that Belfast Breakfast Baps has become known for. Rain. Hail. Snow. Court appearances. Whatever was happening in my own life, we still showed up. Now I’m asking for help. Not for myself personally, but to give Belfast Breakfast Baps some breathing space. To keep the lights on. To keep the doors open. To continue feeding those who rely on us. To continue providing free breakfasts to local children. To continue being a place that serves more than just food. Every pound donated will go directly towards keeping operations running and supporting the community work attached to Belfast Breakfast Baps. If you can donate, thank you. If you can’t donate, please consider sharing this page. If you’ve ever had a breakfast from us, shared one of our posts, supported our outreach, or simply believe local businesses that give back deserve a fighting chance, we’d be grateful for your support. This isn’t a sob story. If the doors close, I’ll work somewhere else and carry on. But if there was ever a time to back Belfast Breakfast Baps, this is it. Thank you for every bit of support you’ve shown us so far. Mark Young Quietly. Properly. Together. ☝️✝️❤️⚓️

In October 2020, a young girl named Jeni died on her first night at university. Just hours after her mum left her at halls. One night. One decision. A life gone. Her death involved a combination of alcohol and ketamine — neither of which, on their own, should have been fatal. But together… they were. I was contacted by Jeni’s mum. No parent should ever have to make that phone call. And no young person should walk into that situation without understanding the risks. That’s why I’m doing this. I’m walking 40km (23 miles) From my home in Belfast To my Ma’s house in Clough. Not for attention. Not for a challenge. But to raise money for something that actually matters. WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES Funds raised will support the work of the Daniel Spargo Mabbs Foundation (DSM) A UK-based drug education charity now delivering programmes across Northern Ireland. They are currently: • Touring schools across NI • Reaching over 7,000 young people (ages 14–16) • Delivering powerful, real-life education through theatre and workshops Each school performance costs approximately £1,000 That’s the reality. This funding directly helps bring life-saving education into schools — before young people step into environments like university, where these risks become real. ⸻ WHY THIS MATTERS This isn’t about scaring kids. It’s about: • Giving them the confidence to say no • Helping them recognise danger • Teaching them what to do if a friend is in trouble • Breaking the silence around drugs and peer pressure Because pretending it doesn’t exist… doesn’t protect anyone. Education does. THE GOAL Every pound raised goes towards: • Funding school programmes • Expanding drug education across Northern Ireland • Preventing another family from experiencing what Jeni’s has HOW YOU CAN HELP • Donate if you can • Share this page • Spread the message Even a small amount contributes to something bigger than all of us. THE WALK Belfast → Clough 40KM / 23 miles I’ll be documenting the journey. Anyone who wants to walk part of it is welcome. No parent should bury their child Because of one night they weren’t prepared for. Let’s change that. Mark ☝️❤️