What would you do if you saw an open car window with a handbag left on the seat? I would like to think that the majority of us would try and think of a plan in order to return the bag to the rightful owner, but unfortunately, there's a large proportion of people who would just take the items.
When James McGeown, a
homeless man from Glasgow, UK, noticed that a car was left unlocked with money and a handbag inside of it, he decided to guard the car until its owners returned in order to ensure that nobody stole the possessions.
John McMonagle had left the car unlocked outside of Glasgow Sheriff Court on Thursday morning. After McGoewn noticed the mistake, he stood by the car for two-and-a-half hours before taking the bag - which belonged to Alyshia Orford - in order to check for ID and found that it had £450 cash inside of it. He then took the goods to a nearby solicitor's office until Mr McMonagle returned.
[[facebookwidget||https://www.facebook.com/www.mcmonagles.co.uk/posts/766211856901032]]
The businessman, who owns a local fish and chip shop in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, was so touched by McGoewn's act of kindness, that he set up a
GoFundMe page in order to raise £5,000 for the homeless man.
The target was reached and almost doubled within 24 hours.
“It’s been absolutely breathtaking, it really has. What James did was incredible.
I wanted to help him in some way and offered him a job but he’s alcohol-dependent. He needs professional help and he called me today, and I dropped him at a detox centre where he’s volunteered to go in for three weeks.”
While McGoewn will get his share of the funds, the overflow will go to homeless charities and support networks aimed at those in need.
"The money is over £5,000 and James will get all of that, but I’ll administer it and be guided by professionals. It’s there for clothing and I’ve just given him a mobile phone so I can keep in touch with him.
He’s going to go through this three-week detox, which I understand can be quite tough, but he’s determined to do it and he phoned me and asked me to go in with him. I think the faith that everyone has shown in him has touched him.
He’s genuinely overwhelmed. People have been approaching him in the street, he’s had job offers and all sorts. It’s a possible life-changing opportunity for him."
“I want the funding to keep coming. I’ve now seen the support available to people like James and the people who give it and I want this whole drive to help them," he continued.
James' story shows us that we shouldn't judge every book by its cover and that those who are in need are often innocent victims of circumstance and have ended up on the streets through no fault of their own. It's a great initiative by Mr McMonagle, who is trying to help James get back on his feet and integrated into society.
