This man’s story went viral because it’s sad, lovely, and a lesson for us all
12.
We struck gold. The vicar at a church a few stops away agreed to take her in for the night, in his home with his wife and children. And he would take her to the local council the next morning. Its not much, but it is something.
— James Gleave (@jamesgleave1) July 9, 2018
13.
I should state now that the station staff were nothing but supportive. As i had established the relationship they let me lead, but went and bought her some food and drink from the station cafe, and allowed her to ride for free on the train when i explained the outcome. Brilliant.
— James Gleave (@jamesgleave1) July 9, 2018
14.
So I rode with her the few stops, walked to the vicarage with her, and explained the situation to the vicar and his somewhat bemused, but welcoming family. He repeated his offer to her. A bed for the night, plus a couple of good meals, and taking her to get help.
— James Gleave (@jamesgleave1) July 9, 2018
15.
Before i left, she turned to me and said “It’s people like you that make this world worthwhile, no matter how horrible it is.” I’m not an emotional man, but that just broke me completely. So i said a hurried goodbye and good luck. Keeping up appearances etc.
— James Gleave (@jamesgleave1) July 9, 2018
16.
Reflecting on this now, it has brought into focus many things that i was aware of and had an understanding of before, but this really brought it home for me.
— James Gleave (@jamesgleave1) July 9, 2018
17.
Our support networks are assumed to be as so: 1. Family. 2. Community. 3. The State. We are busy making it so hard to access 3 for those in need, who are in need because they don’t have 1 and 2. If you fall through, you are fucked.
— James Gleave (@jamesgleave1) July 9, 2018
18.
That, in modern Britain, is shocking. Utterly unacceptable, whatever your view of scrounges and benefits cheats. But by targetting them, innocent, vulnerable people are not getting the help they need.
— James Gleave (@jamesgleave1) July 9, 2018
19.
Also, people and not religions are moral and immoral, though religions may provide a moral framework for many. No doubt if i had run a local mosque, she would have a room for the night. But i had to take her at her word.
— James Gleave (@jamesgleave1) July 9, 2018
20.
In the end, someone from another religion stepped up when it mattered. Her religion mattered not, basic humanity did. That is how to live your life in a moral manner.
— James Gleave (@jamesgleave1) July 9, 2018
21.
Finally, had I never asked a simple question, this woman would not be getting help. I’m not seeking any praise for this, but I urge you all that when you see someone acting strange, ask them if they are alright.
— James Gleave (@jamesgleave1) July 9, 2018
22.
The worst you will often get is a “Fuck off, mate” that you can probably get over. But we expect the likes of the Police, station staff, people with responsibility to do this. No, we all need to do it, and not be locked in our own worlds all the time while this happens.
— James Gleave (@jamesgleave1) July 9, 2018
23.
So if you see someone who may be in need, just ask. Because nobody else may do it, and the systems we have in place may not pick them up. And the consequences of that don’t bear thinking of.
— James Gleave (@jamesgleave1) July 9, 2018
24.
So, you’ll have to excuse me if i don’t spend the evening discussing the political moves of a blonde halfwit, when people like this dear old lady are having to go through this. In Britain. In 2018. We are better than this, so lets act it /fin
— James Gleave (@jamesgleave1) July 9, 2018
And here’s a flavour of how people responded online.
You did the right thing and she will never ever forget you. You deserve to sleep well tonight and every night. I hope things work out for her.
— Jude Brown (@joodebrown) July 9, 2018
The most important thing you'll read today: https://t.co/2aencZ2n47
— James O'Brien (@mrjamesob) July 10, 2018
I accompanied an agitated woman home to St Albans from Victoria Station; turned out she’d walked out of her home having taken an overdose of anti-depressants which is why she was acting so oddly. We must not be scared of a simple “are you ok”
— Charlotte O’Leary (@Charlotteoleary) July 9, 2018
Samaritans exist outside Bible stories. Here is one. But with an important message too. https://t.co/9KTyj7BfFZ
— Charles Arthur (@charlesarthur) July 9, 2018
‘It is in giving that we receive’. I imagine you got as much out of that encounter as she did, and as people like me did reading about it. Basic humanity: stopping to ask if she was OK, led to something quite extraordinary for you both. And the world is a better place for it🙏🏼
— Anna the Planna (@Plannnna) July 9, 2018
Long thread and essential morning reading https://t.co/mKMNBnBZkt
— Andrew Marr (@AndrewMarr9) July 10, 2018
