There’s orders for all rough sleepers to be ‘housed’ while the Coronavirus ravages the planet but I’ve still seen plenty on the streets, stairwells, shopfronts, side alleys since lockdown was announced.
Today our East End Covid-19 Support Network team were very lucky to receive a huge load of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk Eggs thanks to the wonderful generosity of Abdul Aleem and John Lewis Oxford Street.
It is hugely inspiring that such a huge company is pulling out the stops to support those who are the most vulnerable.
Some packs were distributed to rough sleepers on my cycle and the rest have been delivered to old and new homeless friends at Brocklebank Lodge.
One fella came out to help and it was a bit awkward asking him to maintain distance. I felt like an over enthusiastic American cop. He got the drift in the end.
Homeless friends in major European cities have been hit the hardest with many struggling for food, face masks, sanitising gels, and have receiving fines as part of enforcement to clap down on people being outside during lockdown.
They are told to go home - But they don’t have one to go to. Others are human herded into public locations in a bizarre bid to thwart attempts to congregate outside.
The shortfall in PPE has led to the closure of many support services and soup kitchens, thus exacerbating the problem even further.
As I was unloading I received several rounds of applause and lots of claps and wolf whistles from homeless hostel residents peering out from their room windows.
We are grateful to John Lewis and Aleem for this magic moment and making this all happen. You have made many needy people happy today.
As always, Rofikul, Abdal and I are grateful for your continued backing of the work we do.
#coronachronicles #thewanderinglondoner
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