'Secret Millionaire' hands out £70,000 in Brighton (From The Argus)
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'Secret Millionaire' hands out £70,000 in Brighton
1:10pm Monday 15th November 2010 in News By Ben Parsons
GENEROUS: Bradley Reback
Homeless people will get a waterproof map of where to eat, sleep, get clean and stay warm thanks to a Secret Millionaire.
The map is produced using a £25,000 donation from Bradley Reback, who went undercover as an unemployed homeless man in Brighton and Hove for the Channel 4 show.
It was part of £70,000 he donated to city charities after working as a volunteer and seeing first-hand the challenges they face supporting the most vulnerable people in the area.
His adventures living in a van and surviving on Jobseeker’s Allowance were shown last night.
The Argus revealed that Mr Reback had been filmed in the city earlier this month, but this is the first time it has been revealed how much he donated.
At Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project, he became a volunteer before revealing his identity and handing over £25,000.
Part of the money is being used to fund a map for rough sleepers, showing hostels, soup kitchens, day centres and sources of advice.
Since then, former University of Sussex student Mr Reback has returned to help see the idea through.
Mr Reback also made a £25,000 donation to the Safe and Sorted youth centre in Barcombe Road, Moulsecoomb.
The project gives advice to up to 900 young people a year on housing, jobseeking, sexual health and addiction.
Its manager, Niki Eldridge, said the money ensured the charity did not go under.
Mr Reback gave £7,500 to the Moulsecoomb Forest Garden and Wildlife Project after carrying out volunteer work including roof thatching.
The charity works with young people who have had problems at school, helping them develop by teaching them skills like gardening and carpentry.
Another £12,500 went to the Towner Club, which supports people suffering from dementia who are under 65.
Mr Reback said he intends to stay involved with all of the groups.
Comments(11)
Skippah
says...
1:20pm Mon 15 Nov 10
lorrie2 wrote:I'd imagine they are being distributed directly via the charity. I doubt giving details on a website would be much help to homeless people.
IT doesnt say were these maps can be found though does it? so thats a lot of good to the homeless.
security word from-soil
.
Why is everyone on this site so negative?! Instead of commenting on the good that has been done you criticise. Pathetic.
Rocker
says...
1:28pm Mon 15 Nov 10
Top bloke!
TheInsider
says...
1:48pm Mon 15 Nov 10
And word spreads like wildfire among the homeless as to the location of services.
A map is a nice thought, but a waste of valuable resources.
Tye
says...
4:25pm Mon 15 Nov 10
lorrie2 wrote:And what have you done to help someone less fortunate than your goodself?
IT doesnt say were these maps can be found though does it? so thats a lot of good to the homeless. security word from-soil
Tye
says...
4:30pm Mon 15 Nov 10
WELL DONE BRADLEY
TheInsider
says...
4:39pm Mon 15 Nov 10
At Christmas I worked in a homeless shelter in another part of the UK and people came from a 30 mile radius as word travels about facilities...and yes some homeless people even have phones.
Jimthefirst
says...
6:54pm Mon 15 Nov 10
monty sidewinder
says...
9:21pm Mon 15 Nov 10
Leon
says...
10:42pm Mon 15 Nov 10
.
Ok, that's very naughty of me, and of course not all, in fact, not many homeless people are like that at all. But the sad fact is that very soon after getting to Brighton, probably within the hour, a homeless person who is new to Brighton will have knowledge of all of the above (should they wish to), as well as where to sleep and where to get a meal. There is a sense of community between the homeless, and of course they talk to each other and share information (see info above re: people coming from miles around to a soup kitchen)
.
Maps is better than nothing and its great that this chap decided to donate such a huge chunk to Brighton, but I can't help thinking the 'map money' could be better spent elsewhere.
Joshiman
says...
12:37pm Tue 16 Nov 10
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lorrie2 says...
1:17pm Mon 15 Nov 10
security word from-soil