My Story

Okay I had a reader from this blog come into the city to meet me today, He didn't know my story just the fact that I help the homeless but not why. So this is going to be a very short last 3 ½ years because I think sometimes when people think that I was once very successful and maybe think they could have been be the same, if things went the same way on a very bad day.

I promise I will be short because I hate writing about this day because nothing good could come from it.

I was very successful working at a restaurant being in charge of a kitchen and very happy being married and a family man. I thought I had reached the life I always wanted in life and just proud to be me. Then one day

I was helping someone carry shopping bags up some wooden stairs when the top landing had loose floor boards and gave way. I fell and had the most painful day of my life. I spent 9 months in and out of hospital.

The good smile I do is fake. I have dentures top and bottom. I lost so much that day and to list them would not make this a short post, but let's just say I was busted up bad and every day after wasn't great because of healing.

Leaving hospital, losing most of our assets because of no money coming in and every day and night was just pain so it didn't take much for my wife and I to separate and I hit the streets and became homeless. I had done nothing wrong in life I just hit a very hard rock in the road of life.

I gave up on life and everything around me, sleeping in parks and not as nice places. I remember being beaten many of times for just sleeping where drunks could find me. I don't really remember how long it was when I became a Big Issue Vendor, but I remember it was because I was really hungry and needed food. But selling the magazines started giving me confidence in myself again because I started making friends with my customers and they didn't care I was banged up at the time, they accepted me for being me.

In the 7th month I became 'Vendor of the year' hey that's not bad. That made me proud. Ha ha

Now why I help so much.

A lady (customer) came to me and asked if she gave my clothes would I give it to other homeless? The next day she did give me the clothes and that night a lady which was homeless was wearing them. I felt proud knowing I had helped.

The next day I called a homeless centre and asked if I give them clothes would they hand them out for free?

When I was a Big Issue Vendor I would give a 'Thank you note' when people bought a magazine. It was my way of saying thank you. Well on this thank you note I started saying about collecting clothes for the homeless on a day before 9am. I got two taxi's full worth of clothes. I did the same thing 6 weeks later when another customer of mine said let's have a BBQ and feed them as they come and collect the clothes.

The homeless centre loved the idea but said if we do it at the park we could help more people. So we did with the help of great people loving the idea like Tony, Alicia, Andrew, Brad, James and many more. About 400 total turned up. That afternoon a great person (Alicia Wright) said let's make it a non-profit charity and do it more often? Mates helping Mates was born.

Now Mates helping Mates helps a lot of people plus every couple of months does BBQ'S where a huge amount of resources help those that need it most. When they have given up on themselves, we show them we have not given up on them.

I put so much into this because I know there's good/ great people out there that has had one really bad day or days and they hit hard times. I know how easy it could happen because I had everything and lost it all.

I know there's great homeless people out there because the first BBQ we did I was still homeless.

Now there is some great news about this. My wife and I got back together and we remarried only 5 months ago. I am working on getting everything I had before my accident and the best thing is I believe one day I will because I now believe in myself again.

Collect the clothes you don't wear any more and things you can give (Blankets,toiletries, clothes) and come and share a BBQ with us at Musgrave Park on the 26th of February from 10am.

For more information please go to mateshelpingmates.blogspot.com


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Before I forget I have a twitter account and if you want to do the follow thing then I will follow you to. @grantpoliteguy

Premier Anna Bligh follows me on Twitter and one of her staff called and we were talking about how great myself and Mates helping Mates are helping the homeless, BBQ'S and things. All I kept thinking was the QLD Premier knows about us and to tell you the truth thinking that brings a huge smile and self pride.

Well the talk went from homeless not having same rights with elections because of the Liberal Party to Anna Bligh checking her plans and coming to the BBQ which is in her area at Musgrave Park.

Now most know I don't write much about politics but in the past I did hand out flyers at elections for Cameron Dick and Kevin Rudd, which I must say both did win on the day. Ha ha it had nothing to do with me handing out flyers but they were with a great party the Labour Party.

I'll keep you all updated with that and really if Anna takes the time to come and help people in need then I and I'm sure many will want to help her too. My idea of a Premier is one helping those who have hit hard times.

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Now I would like to thank the one and only person that bought some products from me showing it on my last posting. Thank you Chloe. Come on people these are great products and I'm trying to win holiday.

I am going to hit 21% and make my goal because I know I can.


My next Amway products are

Dish Drops
1/ One of the world's most concentrated dishwashing liquids.
2/ Mild formula containing Aloe Vera, Coconut based ingredients and moisturising agents.
3/ Biodegradable so it's kind on the environment.
4/ Just 1 litre of Dish Drops makes up for 6 litres of dishwashing solution.
5/ Enough for 200 medium sinks full of washing up.

Dish Drops 1 Litre $19.80
Plunger Dispenser (Pump Thing) $2.50

LOC Multi Purpose Cleaner
1/ For household jobs Big and Small.
2/ Makes 20 litres of powerful solution that cuts through dirt and grime.
3/ Walls, Floors, Woodwork, Appliances and all washable surfaces
4/ No rinse, Streak Free, Non-dulling formula.

LOC 1 litre $14.82
Plunger Dispenser (Pump Thing) $2.50

These are both world wide products and well known. I can get them delivered anywhere in Australia.

If you would like to order any of these then please do by calling me on 0412 190 011 or email me on grantthepoliteguy@gmail.com


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I shared my story so people know why I help so much with the homeless, mostly because I was once one of them. I think this post will help many to understand that homeless people are just people that hit hard times and sometimes just need a hand up not just a hand out.

Please share this posting and maybe others will think so too.

I hope you all have a great day and thank you for reading my post.
Grant the Polite Guy.