An 22-year-old Lancashire art student has raised over £32,000 for a homeless man, after he offered her his last £3 so that she could get a taxi home safely.
Dominique Harrison-Bentzen declined his generous offer, but was so moved by the gesture that she started a campaign to raise enough money to help him get a flat. She called on her friends to each donate £3 in his honor.
Here’s her description of the “incredible thing” that happened on December 4:
“I was lucky enough to find him again and his name is Robbie, he has been homeless for 7 months through no fault of his own and needs to get back on his feet but cannot get work due to having no address.”
She learned that he has returned wallets to pedestrians without taking anything inside, and has offered his scarf to keep people warm.
“So that’s when I decided to change Robbie’s life and help him, as he has helped many others. On Tuesday 16th December I will be spending 24 hours through the day and night as a homeless person to understand the difficulties they face each day.”
She asked for sponsors willing to giver her £3, “as Robbie attempted to give me his only £3.” She posted this photo and hoped to collect enough to get Robbie a deposit for an apartment.
She initially hoped to raise £500, but when the British media shared her story, the money started pouring in to her fundraising page. Now, with the story being covered worldwide, she wants to help other homeless people with any leftover money.
“I am so grateful to each and everyone of you who has made this happen,” she wrote on her Facebook page (where we found the photos above).
(READ more from the Guardian)
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