A bar and restaurant manager helped a homeless man get a job after taking him to a charity shop to buy him a suit – and giving him interview tips.
Desperate Omar had been living on the streets when he went into Five Bar & Kitchen, in Huddersfield, West Yorks., looking for work.
Although 22-year-old Louie Cooper could not offer any work, he took one look at Omar, wearing shoes with no soles, ripped jeans, three dirty jumpers and a haggard coat and knew he needed help if he was to find a job.
He took Omar to the local charity shop, Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice shop, where they kitted him out in a full outfit and then went to a cafe to advise him how to present himself in interview.
Amazingly, Louie’s good deed paid off, and Omar found a job within days.
Kind-hearted Louie said: “I could tell when Omar came in that he was a guy who was down on his luck. I could see he wasn’t a drug addict or an alcoholic and I thought I could reach out to this guy.”
It turned out Omar, from Huddersfield, used to run his own takeaway until he lost everything.
He is now thankful to Louie for giving him a gift that has lifted him out his life on the streets – his self respect.
Omar, 40, said: “I had no faith in humankind after I lost it all, but Louie has restored that. He did not have to do what he did.
“I can now see there is kindness.”
“For somebody so young, Louie has a good head on his shoulders, I can never thank him enough.”
Louie also gave Omar some money to pay his landlord and he now has a home and a job.
Louie, also from Huddersfield., said: “I can’t believe that what I did had such an impact. Omar came to me in a state and all I did was help him out.
“I do look out for the homeless and have bought others food or drinks before.
“The biggest reward for me was how thankful Omar was. It really is a nice feeling to know what I did made him so happy.”
The day after Omar returned to Five Bar and waited hours for Louie, explaining he had found a job at a nearby takeaway.
“It was all because he had gone in dressed in a suit,” Louie said.
“He thanked me loads.
“I was totally shocked but so glad I could help. I only spent about £50 but it’s the best money I’ve ever spent.”
Louie now wants to encourage others to remember the importance of small acts of kindness as the festive season draws upon us .
“I just think it’s important to help others.
“If this can inspire someone else to give a few minutes of their time to others then that’s great.”
