I've been approached by this guy on a few occasions, over the past few months, either along the Dartmouth Road or near to the WHSmith shop/FHStation and have become wise to him now, of course. He is NOT deeply distressed! IMHO
It's a regular occurence. Last night was my latest encounter with him (outside the Jolly Fisherman)
Either he is very clever and uses his disablity to good effect (ie begging) or NOT & he seriously needs help (but then someone else said he has lots of friends and carers? So they SHOULD be looking after him and curtailing his BEGGING activities, and wandering around in the dark and alone, I think?)
Most times, I see him coming and say "Sorry mate, I am not well off myself at the moment so if you need money, sorry, I can't spare any" and he most times has answered "No, I want to know the time" so I told him the time.
Sorry, but, he obviously is out there begging - for cigs, money or else. He obviously is less well off, than many others, but if he has carers and friends, why are they not home (wherever his home is?) with uim and caring for/looking after him?
Maybe its THEM who are using HIM for "other means"?
He obviously has a disability/illness - thats not disputable - but if he has carers and friends looking out for him etc. why do they let him roam around hassling people? If he is registered disabled, he will be getting benefits to help him, and, hopefully, other help, so why is he on the street begging?
I am not a hard person, not at all, but am totally ****** off with people begging for money.
I need my money myself, but, if the need arises and I believe, at the time, someone needs urgent help, I would give them some.
Unfortunately, within FH at the moment, there are far too many begging/asking for money for "?" and I am sick of it. I give nothing to no-one anymore.
I, truly, need every penny I have at the moment, so cannot spare any for others.
I also, urge other people to not fall prey to scammers, within the area, because there are a few - this one - mentioned in the subject line of this thread (IMHO) included, and others.
If I was a different kind of person, I maybe might consider standing on a street corner myself and begging for money. It seems an easy way of getting a few quid, and many seem to fall for it.
I am, however, not that way "minded", or so dishonest.


Sue