An online campaign has raised more than £1500 for a down-on-his-luck Stockport fast food worker – after a stranger saw his plight on Panorama.
The BBC investigation, which aired on Monday night, featured workers ‘living on the breadline’ and one of those interviewed was poverty-stricken Jason May.
May was interviewed describing how he had not eaten for two days since he was so short of cash.
Londoner Willy Harlow saw the episode and launched a campaign on Indiegogo to try and raise some money to allow Jason to afford some basic amenities.
Using Twitter as a platform, setting up the hashtag #givestockportjasonabreak, the campaign has surpassed its £1000 target and, at the time of publication, has raised £1505.
Portugal-born Mr Harlow, 34, said he could not just sit by and ignore the issue.
“I know how difficult it can be. I wasn’t given a lot of opportunities but the opportunities I was given I always appreciated,” he said.
“When I was watching the programme, I couldn’t do nothing. I was really angry and upset with what people had to go through.”
MAKING A PINT: Now Mr Harlow wants to track Jason down for a drink (©BBC via iPlayer with thanks)
As part of his harrowing story on the BBC documentary, skint Jason revealed that he is often unable to buy food.
At the time of filming, his fridge and freezer were both empty and his cupboards sparse as his zero hours contract failed to provide a sustainable income.
“David Cameron keeps saying that we’re all in it together and I thought no, this is what being in it together really means,” Mr Harlow added.
“If I can do something to help I will. I was choking back my tears and I just thought, fuck this, I’ve got to do something to help.”
Jason in Stockport – just want to feed him and take him out for a pint!- better still, help him get a decent job!
— Tony Clabby (@TonyClabby) October 6, 2014
The campaign was started just four days ago but has already achieved great success, a pleasant surprise to Mr Harlow.
“I wasn’t expecting people to actually act on it. People talk, talk, talk about the subject but no one really does anything,” he said.
“Within less than 24 hours we had reached the target. I was blown away.”
Deep sadness for Jason in Stockport #workersonthebreadline – i’ll stock his cupboards. Hardworking yet still hungry. it’s just not right!
— Sharon Holyoake (@SMHolyoake) October 6, 2014
Mr Harlow is now planning to get in touch with Jason himself and is even aiming to visit Stockport in the near future.
“I want to meet Jason, give him the good news and have a pint with him,” he said.
“My belief is that people are genuinely nice. Their only problem is the herd mentality and the greed.
“If we help each other, just a little bit, even just a smile, that’s all that matters. Just be kind.
“People don’t really know how difficult it is to survive just because you were unlucky in the lottery of life.”
Image courtesy of BBC via iPlayer with thanks
