WHEN kind-hearted Sara Coombes stopped to chat to a homeless man and buy him something to eat, she had no idea it would lead to an Island-wide campaign to help those living on our streets.


After Sara, 40, of Colenutts Road, Ryde, posted a picture of herself and former landscape gardener Terry on Facebook, saying she had offered him gardening work, she was overwhelmed by the generous response.

She set up a Facebook page, Help Hampshire Homeless, and has been inundated with donations of food, clothes and blankets — and even offers of work for Terry, who is staying at the Bus Shelter.

Sara, a carer, was with her son, Josh, 12, when she spotted Terry in Newport town centre.

"His hands were freezing so I gave him my gloves and he told me his life story. It made me think there were lots more people we could help," said Sara, who said she was inspired by 'Beat My Addictions’ homelessness campaigner Chris Hill.

"It’s unimaginable to think about it but anyone could end up on the streets."

Terry, 45, who asked the County Press not to report his surname, thanked Sara for giving him the opportunity to turn his life around.

After moving to the Island from Ascot 25 years ago, he said he had been homeless for more than two years since splitting from his partner, losing his job and then his home. 

He has battled drink and drug addiction but is now clean and trying to rebuild his life. 

"I lost everything, it’s as simple as that. Now I want to get my life back and this is a great opportunity to turn my life around.

"Sara is an outstanding woman. I can’t believe everything she’s done, it’s astonishing. 


"There are a lot more homeless people on the Island than people realise and they need all the help they can get.
"Don’t judge people too harshly — everyone has their reasons and it can happen to anyone."


Sara said: "Terry said thank you for giving him hope. He said he couldn’t believe how much I’d done in just a couple of days but it’s not me — it’s everyone offering to help. The response has been absolutely brilliant. 

"One woman gave me 30 army blankets, another made lots of cakes and sandwiches. It’s gone crazy.

"It’s so lovely that people want to help. Everyone has been so kind."

Reporter: emilyp@iwcpmail.co.uk