Bus station worker 'saved rough sleeper's life'

A rough sleeper has said he would not be alive without the help of a bus station supervisor.

Jeff Adams, 75, who was left homeless after a fire in his flat, was sleeping on the metal seats of Wednesbury bus station, when Sue Tycer noticed him.

She contacted Sandwell Council, secured temporary accommodation for him and used Facebook to appeal for donations to help refurnish the flat once the fire damage was repaired.

Mr Adams is now back in his own home and said he was so grateful for Ms Tycer's support, adding "without her help I'd be dead".

Before he decided to stay at the station, temporary accommodation in central Birmingham had been offered to Mr Adams, however he wanted to stay closer to his original home.

Ms Tycer, who works for Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), said: "It just wasn’t right, a 75-year-old man sleeping on those cold seats, no covers, nothing.

"But he's a proud man and wanted to stay local."

The fire left Mr Adams, a retired metal stamper and lorry driver, with only the clothes he was wearing.

This prompted Ms Tycer to ask people on a community Facebook page for any donations.

"I was just overwhelmed by the response. 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" she said.

"The people of Wednesbury just blew me away."

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said Ms Tycer's efforts and how the community reacted "reflect the incredible warmth and generosity that define our region".

He added: "Her actions remind us of the difference one person can make."

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