Ron has been homeless longer than Hayden - he is 41 and Hayden is 31. Ron grew up in a combination of Children's homes and his grandmother's home. He became homeless when his Grandmother died, when he was just 25 years old.
He spiralled into depression and out-of-society. He has had a history of drug and alcoholism since bereavement. 17 yeas on he struggles alonside his brother, Hayden to make a living from 'Big Issue' sales'. The bigger issue of course is that neither of them can ever qualify for any social assistance anywhere because their childhood's in care has robbed them from any 'local connection'. Their lot then is to try and raise a combined £1400 from incremental Big Issue street sales. Of course it doesn't help when Hayden wakes to find his essentials robbed. Suffering from 'trench foot' he needed to buy back his trainers that had been stolen last night while he slept rough in a shop doorway.
Kids in care seem doubly disenfranchised - with the odds permanently stacked against them from birth. Few beat the odds, many fall foul, few of us seem to even know much less care.
Hayden and Ron are currently appealing their rejection for assistance with local detox and will get a decision next week. I have offered to assist them with paper work - they are going through the designated Bournemouth Council appeal process. Let's hope that their dedication sways the decision in their favour.
United they stand - we mustn't let them fall!
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