BY LUCY CAULKETT

“All jokes aside, I’m hoping this artistic expression, built upon the Council’s ill-conceived advertising mishap, will steer the local and national conversation back to the important underlying issue:  homelessness itself (without prejudice).”

Nottingham charity Framework released a statement around the time the poster campaign started which said:

“In Nottingham we know that most people who beg are not sleeping rough, but this doesn’t mean they don’t need or deserve help. They absolutely do. Framework, like other housing charities across the country, knows from experience that these problems are best remedied by professional support services – not by the giving of money with no knowledge as to how it will be spent.

“If people do wish to give money to help homeless and vulnerable people, we would advise them to support a registered charity with the knowledge and experience needed to bring about lasting change.”

Nottingham City Council recently started a campaign to address the culture of begging prevalent among the low life of the city, urging people not to encourage their begging my giving them money. Many beggars genuinely need help because of a history of misfortune and disability due to genetic defects or natural accidents that prevents them from functioning normally.

However, there are a large number of beggars who are not homeless, but are simply losers have over indulge din drugs in their growing years and are now hopeless alcoholics and/or drug addicts. These bunch are a cancer to our society because they are the cause of their own fate. They are too lazy and unmotivated to give themselves the kick up the ass they need.

A resident from Nottingham, Sharin Taylors, told the eye of media.com ” I am a generous person and believe in helping people. However, there are many beggars on the streets who are insulting our intelligence, when they have homes. They are just to lazy to work hard an earn a living like the rest of us. They beg to support their drink and drug habits, and those lot won’t get a penny from me. They need a job, not free money. I don’t do pencers”.

ASSISTANCE

The graphitti vigilante has a small point, namely that the homeless should be assisted in terms of helping them overcome their situation and sustain a brighter future. However, beggars who are resigned to continuing being losers and parasites should not be encouraged. They are an eye sore, and should be lectured by any one who contemplates helping them, and they are better helped with food, or assistance to integrate with society, than assistance with money. Sounds harsh, but the bitter truth hurts.