Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Get Michael Home: Dalston reveller crowdfunds homeless man's ticket back to Jamaica 'where he says he will be happy'

£800 target was reached in a matter of hours

Christopher Hooton
Monday 10 February 2014 11:59 GMT
Comments
Jenny Baker posted a picture of herself with Michael on Twitter
Jenny Baker posted a picture of herself with Michael on Twitter (@BakeyBoo)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

'Gym lover' turned philanthropist Jenny Baker has successfully raised enough money to help a homeless man return to his native Jamaica, after a chance meeting on a night out led her to start a 'Get Michael Home' campaign on Twitter.

"Last night I was out in Dalston and came across a very sweet homeless man," Baker wrote on crowdfunding site Go Fund Me.

"We got chatting (as you do) and I offered to give him some money etc...Anyway, he didn't want money or booze he just said he loved a ginger beer, so I went and got him a ginger beer and a sandwich.

"He told me that he is 64 and came over to England with his mum for a better life. Unfortunately his mother passed away and he found himself homeless with no funds.

"He told me that all he wants more than anything in the world is to go back to Jamaica where he says he will be fine and happy again. I have promised this man that this time next year he will be back in Jamaica and that I will make it my personal mission to make it happen. Anyway, let's #getmichaelhome spread the love, thank you xxx."

The mission statement came on Sunday, and just 24 hours later Baker has smashed her goal of £800 for the ticket, with the total at the time of writing breaking £3,000.

Baker said she was 'touched' by the flood of donations, and will now set about letting Michael know of the opportunity for him to head home.

"Massive love to everyone for all ur donations, retweets and lovely messages," she wrote on Twitter. "Off to try & find Michael tonight to share the news.Wish me luck!xx"

There have been some remarkable successes with Twitter campaigns in recent months, including the #FindMike hashtag which saw a formerly suicidal user reunited with the man who stopped him from ending his life.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in