'Without her, I'd be dead' - Bus station supervisor and Wednesbury community help rough sleeper return home

Jeff Adams resorted to sleeping in Wednesbury bus station since the blaze, which left him with nothing but the clothes he was wearing. 

The temporary accommodation offered to him in central Birmingham was too far away for Jeff, a retired metal stamper and lorry driver, so instead he slept on the metal benches at the bus station.

But thanks to the kindness of the local community, the 75-year-old is now back in a furnished warm home. 

He was spotted sleeping rough by the station supervisor, Sue Tycer, who rallied the local community together to help him. 

Mr Adams said he 'would have been dead' by now if not for the help Sue and the community. 

“It just wasn’t right, a 75-year-old man sleeping on those cold metal seats, no covers, nothing," Sue said. "But he’s a proud man and wanted to stay local."

Over several days, Sue called agencies, the council and rough sleeper organisation Streetlink for help, while bus station staff fed and helped Jeff where they could. 

Eventually, Sandwell Council found him a place at a local hotel closer to home while his flat was being repaired. He finally got the keys to move back home, but the flat was an empty shell. 

“He had lost everything and his flat had nothing in it yet, bare plaster walls, nothing on the floor, no cooker, no fridge, nothing to sit on and nothing to sleep on,” Sue said.

Sue posted an appeal for Jeff on the Wednesbury People Facebook community page she runs and the donations came flooding in from its 13,000 followers.

“I was just overwhelmed by the response," she said. "He got a bed, he got a fridge, got a settee, he got bedding, clothes, TV, everything for the kitchen, all through the kindness of strangers. The people of Wednesbury just blew me away.”

She describes Jeff as a character and says she has seen a different side to him. “People have been so kind, it’s what the world should be,” she added.

Jeff said: "Sleeping rough was horrible. You can’t believe how grateful I am to Sue and all those people who gave me something. Without her I’d be dead.”

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, said: “Sue’s kindness and determination to help Jeff find a safe place to live is a remarkable example of care and compassion.

“Her efforts, along with the way the Wednesbury community rallied behind her appeal with donations, reflect the incredible warmth and generosity that define our region. She’s an inspiration, and her actions remind us of the difference one person can make.

“Our frontline bus station staff always go above and beyond to help passengers and play a vital role in ensuring people can travel safely around the region.”