The recent cold streak, although coming to an end soon, has been a rather welcome change in temperature for sunny Singapore. Admit it, you’ve been enjoying the chilly weather (secretly or not) over the past week.
But for the homeless spending their nights on the streets, this cold spell has been a rather uncomfortable one, especially for those without blankets or proper clothing to keep them warm. Luckily, one kind man — who was particularly affected by the sight of an elderly man in Chinatown shivering while attempting to sleep — saw the need and sought to lend a helping hand.
According to The Straits Times, restaurant owner Francis Ng has been distributing blankets to the homeless since last Thursday. The 44-year-old, who helms the House of Seafood restaurant in Punggol, has given out more than 100 blankets in older estates like Tiong Bahru, Chinatown, Redhill, and Toa Payoh. Each piece sets him back about S$10.
Most of his recipients are elderly men who either sleep on benches and reclining chairs or lie on a piece of cardboard on the ground.
“Some of the homeless also move from place to place to avoid social workers, so they might also be difficult to find,” Ng told ST. “I just hope that by doing this I can make a difference in my own small way.”
Reader Interactions