"And who is my neighbour?"

I was in London a couple of days ago and on the underground train a young man, dressed in an old torn anorak, filthy torn trousers and no shoes asked the travellers for help he was filthy from living on the streets. He told us of how he had been robbed whilst sleeping and even his shoes taken, with no shoes and no coat he was cold and extremely upset and surely hungry. As he told his story, people looked away, tutted and sneered because he did smell bad. I actually got a pain in my chest with the attitude of my fellow human beings. As I gave him some money focus was then on me and the travellers stared at me as if I was 'encouraging' this unfortunate fellow human. I hope I was, encouraging him to get some hot food and a drink. What is wrong with us? We sit in warm clothes and filled bellies and treat the unfortunate as invisible. Being a city, people go about their business with next to no regard for others too busy to see. A long time ago a young man told a tale of a similar human that was robbed and left injured, and a listener asked him who our 'neighbours' are? Our fellow humans surely? Those who actually care for others.

But we refuse to see these people in case we too catch this 'homelessness', we are not all blind, we are guilty and I hope we remember our fellow humans and not just popping coins into a tim carried by a clean and well fed collector. Go direct and for the only reason but to 'help' the less fortunate. When you pay everything by tapping your card, try carrying some cash in case you can help someone less fortunate, if you look you can actually see them every where. We can't help everyone, but if we are passing, take time to hand out some coins and if we all do, we can be a direct help and not to an organised charity, but to the end user. I hear you saying that they will spend that money and drugs and booze...if it makes their life more liveable so be it. When I told my wife on my return she wondered if these people can go to Oxfam, Shelter, and other 'charity' shops and get a pair of shoes, a coat or clothing to keep them warm...for free? Is that not what people donate for? Again I hear you say they will abuse that...do we care as long os our 'neighbour' makes it through the night and is not found frozen, starved and beaten? It shouldn't be guilt that drives us to give but to recognise our fellow human beings that are a less fortunate 'us'. I hope those on the tube remember that young man and think long and hard about who our 'neighbour' is and not just the people next door. And those who prefer contactless...are simply doing that...avoiding contact. Carry some coins, in this day and age they will be useful to others.