A homeless north-east man was overwhelmed by the generosity of others after he hit rock bottom at Christmas and issued a heartbreaking online plea for food donations.
Jamie Stuart, 52, was left without a permanent address earlier this year when his marriage ended.
He spent several months couch surfing between friends’ houses before securing temporary accommodation in Stonehaven about a month ago.
With his cupboards bare, and facing a Christmas unable to provide food for his two daughters when they visited him for the first time since October, a desperate Mr Stuart took to social media to ask people for any items they may be able to donate.
The artist, who launched the appeal on his his Stu Art Facebook page, was blown away by the response he received from the “extremely kind and generous people” of the community.
He said: “I’m so amazed by the kindness of people I’d never met before, who were able to help me out.
“Because of their kindness I am able to have to my children back at last and share what is left of Christmas with them.
“If it weren’t for these generous people, I wouldn’t have any food to feed them and myself.
“People donated everything and anything including fruit, tinned food and whatever leftovers they had. It’s just been absolutely magical.
“I don’t think I would have found the strength to get through if it weren’t for this.”
Thanks to the support from locals, Mr Stuart now has enough food to last until school starts again in January.
The 52 year old added that his two daughters, aged five and eight, were “really pleased to spend some time with their dad” over the festive period.
He said: “I was worried they wouldn’t like the presents I’d got them with the little money I had left, but they really appreciate the simple things.
“It has been absolutely brilliant just being able to spend a few days with them.”
To repay those who helped him, Mr Stuart is now offering to volunteer his services wherever they could be helpful in the community.
He said: “We can do art or design or any other voluntary jobs that people see fit, as I very much would like to repay the kindness shown to me.
“It’s been a rough year but things are really looking up now.”
His hopes for 2020 are to secure “a proper home” that will allow him to see his daughters more and enjoy “having a normal life”.
