22/05/2022
Hey Guys, Today was one the worst experiences we’ve ever had to date. On the way in to work one of our staff had lost their AirPods a while back and had a location come up on their phone for it, leading us to a car park for Dalton Crescent and it’s surrounding Neighbours. Upon arrival there were 3 really young children sort of playing around the bins eating pizza. To which I asked them had they seen an airpod around the car park by any chance and offered a reward if they did find it and brought to the shop. As I left them to continue searching for the airpod I noticed them running in to a cut into the estate as it started to rain assuming lot for shelter which I paid no mind to because it was raining. Naturally I looked back to see that a bag that was previously beside the bin had disappeared. (Don’t know how I knew it was rubbish and I guess I was somewhat attentive to my surroundings) as I continued I reached the cut and saw them also sitting there eating desserts and naturally checked to see what it was. To my surprise they were eating what appeared to be a waffle but this waffle was certainly not fresh and even the worst of the worst places would not serve this to customers so I knew it had to be old and thrown at by someone who had previously ordered it. At that moment I looked back and saw that there were several pizza boxes there beside the bin and I guess made out that these children were eating scraps of food already thrown out. My attention turned towards there faces immediately and my heart ached simultaneously to notice that these kids were heavily mistreated and clearly not well looked after. As a parent I’m not one to judge and can understand children can be difficult and the more I recognise from memory the more confident I am that this was the apparent situation. If I’m mistaken and these kids were just abit messy and just being silly and eating stuff out the trash then I hope I’m forgiven. But on the chance that they aren’t as the elder of the group who could be no older that 5/6 possibly and two younger than her a boy and a girl both with ginger hair who appeared to be related atleast had looked to the elder when I asked them if they were hungry. I panicked in the situation and just gave them a £10 note and asked that they go to get food. As I walked away and they ran back in to the estate my thoughts began to play me. Had I done the right thing? Is £10 even enough for the 3 of them? Will their parents be okay with that? Will they let them keep the money? Or atleast get them something to eat? I’m not one to panick as such but this situation definitely left a challenging thought in the back of my mind.. I went back to through the cut to see if I could catch up to them but there were so many kids. I asked a man who was popped out of his house and explained the situation and he replied he hadn’t seen anyone as I described. That kids are always passing through here etc. went on to ask a few different groups of kids surrounding the area and they weren’t able to help as such. I went on to stop a lady who was walking to throw her rubbish out and explained to her and she shared my thoughts on the matter but as this place was common for children to hang around and play was difficult to determine where they were from or they could be. My thoughts are now how to best act upon what I’ve seen and how I can atleast do my part. Needless to say if there is anyone who sees these children please contact someone or our shop we will do whatever we can to help them. We don’t want parents in trouble but more so we don’t want kids going unfed. Perhaps I’m not in the best position to help everyone and anyone but I’m confident I can help someone. My point being is if you are someone you know or don’t know greatly but can tell they’re struggling either help them on your own accord or help them by sending them to us we will try our best to atleast get them a meal. If these kids are ever found or the description fits please again either help them on your own accord or send them to us. We aren’t as I said going to be able to perhaps everyone but I won’t let that stop us from helping who we can. My thoughts and prayers are with the kids whom I’ve just witnessed. I hope with your guys support we can do something to help children like this. I know it’s something we all say and possibly do mean and at times we forget or become ignorant into-wards this reality across the nation and world but I guess I just don’t want to see that again. Don’t really know what to say just don’t really feel like a dessert day today.
