"I've got all I ever wanted": Garry's story

“I’ve got all I ever wanted,” says Garry. “Before Porchlight helped me, I had basically been homeless my whole life. Now I have a set of keys to my own front door and Claire and I have each other.”

For years, Garry spent Christmas Day on the streets, focused solely on survival.

“It’s Christmas – it’s supposed to be a time for family and togetherness. But the only ‘together’ you get is r with a sleeping bag, looking for a doorway to crash in. You wouldn’t wish it on your worst enemy.”

Garry became homeless after his partner and young daughter died in a car crash over 30 years ago. Struggling with grief, he turned to drugs as a coping mechanism and his life spiralled into decades of rough sleeping, sofa surfing and time in prison.

“Homelessness is as low as you can get,” he said. “It’s cold and you’re just trying to find shelter anywhere you can. You have to. If you don’t, you’ll die.”

Porchlight began working with Garry a few years ago, providing somewhere to live and support to overcome his drug addiction.

“It saved my life,” he says. “Porchlight gave me a room and stability that became a springboard for what I have now.”

While living with Porchlight, Garry reconnected with his teenage sweetheart Claire, through social media.

“We were together when we were young, but her father said we couldn’t be together because I was a… naughty b*stard,” Garry laughs.” Now, roughly 40 years later, I’m glad it didn’t work out then - it was supposed to work out now.”

Garry and Claire got married this summer – and several members of Porchlight attended the ceremony.

“It’s the best day I’ve had… I’ve always loved this woman,” Garry says.

“It was the best day of my life… I rewatch the video a lot and it makes me cry,” Claire adds.

Garry and Claire’s wedding was made possible through Porchlight’s involvement in a government trial to provide more financial support for people who’ve been homeless. The same support also helped the couple to furnish a council home we’ve helped them to secure.

This Christmas, Garry and Claire are looking forward to a traditional celebration. They’ll spend Christmas Day delivering presents to relatives and on Boxing Day, they’ll host friends for a festive meal.

They’re also determined to help people who are on the streets this Christmas and encourage others to do the same.

“It’s horrible knowing there are still people out there now,” says Claire.

Garry adds: “If there were more Porchlights, there would be fewer people on the streets.