Williamstown residents have rallied to help a homeless man, who has been living in his car opposite a cemetery after his elderly parents died and the family home was sold.
Residents became curious when they saw a car with its windows smashed, parked in Champion Road, Williamstown North.
After a post on Facebook group Williamstown-past-present-future, people pieced together that the seemingly abandoned vehicle was actually the home of a man named Mark, who had been living rough for about 18 months. People began to bring knitted blankets and hot food for Mark, leaving the items at the car if he wasn’t there to receive them.
Last week, the Salvos found him a unit in Melbourne’s north – just as his car was slapped with a ‘canary’ [unroadworthy sticker] and was about to be towed away.
Mark decided, with help from Williamstown resident Patrick Walsh, to donate the car to Kids Under Cover, to be auctioned to help homeless youth.
Mr Walsh organised a funding page for Mark after residents said they wanted to help.
“He’s been a resident for 35 years in Willy,” Mr Walsh said.
“He’s always loved the area and is going to miss the area, but knowing the community is supportive has lifted his spirits.
“He sort of heard through the community grapevine that he was a bit of a Facebook celebrity. He’s overwhelmed with the generosity and the level of support.”
Mr Walsh said Mark’s spirits were so high he even joked that the police would be sad to see him leave.
“He was like, ‘Everyone thought I was a speed camera, so the cops liked it, because they had less complaints about speeding drivers on that road’.
“I said, that’s maybe why the windows were smashed.”
Another resident, Kelly Lewis, has organised a food drive for Mark and said many people are asking how they can help.
Cash donations can be made to ‘MARKS CASH’ at the Commonwealth Bank, BSB: 063179, Account: 1042 5388.
For Paypal donations, go to patrickwalsh@ihug.com.au
