Yahoo News Homeless man offers to work for free 'to make life worth living'
A homeless man has been widely praised after his handwritten ‘work wanted’ advert went viral.
Anthony Johnson stuck the heartbreaking note advertising his services and offering to work for free beside his tent in Hastings, East Sussex.
The 37-year-old appealed to passers by to “help change a life” by considering him for a range of jobs, adding that he would do anything “to make life seem worth living”.
Anthony has been homeless for nine years and currently sleeps in a tent next to a bus stop.
But thanks to a bit of initiative by 16-year-old Charlotte Howard, who shared a photo of Anthony’s ad on Facebook, his luck has now changed.
Landscape gardener Nelson Smith spotted the post and contacted Anthony about a potential job as a gardener which he is set to start on Monday.
Anthony said: “The reaction after Charlotte posted the note was weird – I was suddenly bombarded with things.
“I wouldn’t have got anywhere looking for a job if it wasn’t for her – she really is incredible.
“She saw me and recognised my position and decided she wanted to do something to help.
“It’s not like I haven’t previously been asking for help but all it takes is an open-minded person like Charlotte to come along and help.”
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Anthony admitted to previously being a “horrible person living a horrible life” who spent time in of prison.
He said: “The fact is that trying to walk away from that horrible life landed me on the streets.
“I didn’t want to do the things I used to do – my social circles used to be drug takers and criminals. Now it’s pastors and people doing outreach work.
“Getting a job is about having something to do rather than rotting away on a bench – it’s about having something in your life and at the moment that seems to be coming back.”
Nelson said he was inspired to contact Charlotte because he saw Anthony as a man who was trying to help himself.
He said: “I have had problems with mental health in recent years and in this post, I saw someone trying to help themselves.
“I contacted Charlotte and said I might be able to find something for him – it looks like we may have sorted a job for him on Monday.”
Charlotte has set up an online fundraiser for Anthony, which has reached £1,000 in five days.
She has also managed to source him a caravan, which was donated for free. They are now looking for a permanent place to park the caravan.
Addressing those who have helped him, Anthony added: “Thank you for helping change what I have going on, thank you for understanding my situation.
“I couldn’t have got out without the help of people like them. If I could write a message to thank every single person who donated then I would.”
