KIND-HEARTED Scots have raised over £11,000 to help a homeless man after he was battered by thugs – who also stabbed his dog.
Darryl and his dog Max, usually sit outside a convenience store in the heart of Edinburgh and have been homeless for the past three years.
Recently, the pair were allegedly victims of a shocking attack in which Darryl was badly beaten and his dog Max was left with stab wounds.
The incident prompted Lesley Baldwin, who works in the nearby Standard Life office to set up a crowdfunding page to try to raise funds for the pair.
Lesley initially set a target of £2000 to help get them back on their feet and cover vet bills but in less that 48 hours, this has been smashed, with £11,525 having been raised by generous strangers.
The money is set to be used to help Darryl rent a flat and get back on his feet.
Writing on the gofundme page, Lesley explained why she’d set it up: “I am friends with a homeless man, Darryl and his dog Max.
“They have recently become victims of some thugs who have beaten up Darryl and stabbed little Max. Thankfully Max is ok and will make a full recovery.
“Darryl does not ask for money but is always happy to chat to anyone who stops to talk to him. He does not drink and does not do drugs. Darryl has been homeless for three years and does not qualify for any benefits.
“People have been great about helping out with food, drinks and clothes, which he really appreciates.
“Now through raising awareness we have a chance to make a real and permanent difference to their lives. If everyone who reads this just gives a little bit we can use it for rent on a flat so he can then go on to claim benefits and get himself back on his feet.”
The page has been shared thousands of times on social media which has helped to attract more than 860 people to donate to the page, some giving as much as £100 to the cause.
Rough sleepers are thought to be 13 times more likely to become victims of violence and 47 times more likely to have their belongings stolen.
However, thanks to the generous donations, Darryl and Max look set for a brighter future, with Lesley posting an update yesterday (THU) morning which read: “I broke the news to Darryl this morning and I think I was crying more than him.
“He jumped up and was dancing in the street jumping up and down in the knowledge he will now get a home.
“Next step will be get them safe over the weekend and I have a meeting with estate agents DJ Alexanders who offered help. Hopefully Darryl will have his own place sooner rather than later.”
Lesley also stated that Darryl wished to pass on his thanks to everyone who has donated and thinks they are “all amazing.”
Latest figures reveal that homeless people are up to six times more likely to visit A&E departments and stay three times as long as others.
There is an average life expectancy of 47 years for men and 43 years for women living on the streets compared to an average life expectancy in Scotland of 86.6 years.
To donate visit: https://www.gofundme.com/help-darryl-max
