Leeds’ homeless people have wished the Queen 'good health and good luck' for her Platinum Jubilee weekend.
The monarch has been on the throne for 70 years. To celebrate the anniversary, Britons have been handed a four-day national bank holiday.
The celebration comes at a time when the UK is experiencing a cost of living crisis, propelled by the war in Ukraine, with gas, energy bills and inflation higher than ever before. One group which has felt the squeeze, certainly in food prices, is Leeds’ rough sleepers.
Read more: Sneered at with nowhere to go, the mums and dads on Leeds' streets
Beeston man James Nye, 26, has been living on the streets since March, after his mother died of cancer. He claims he was served an eviction notice, as he couldn’t continue her tenancy.
James was lying beside a flower bed outside the Radisson Hotel in Leeds city centre at about noon on a weekday, when LeedsLive spoke to him.
Learning the Queen has been on the throne for 70 years, James said: “It’s amazing. I wish her well. She’s been doing a good job, keep it up!”
Although he has grown tired of people judging him and doesn’t think much will change in that regard over the weekend.
He said: “I hope people will be kinder to me on the jubilee weekend. People don’t know what it feels like. If they’ve been in this situation, fair does, but to just judge people, it’s not good. But it [the jubilee] won’t change owt.”
'Good health and luck'
Ex-soldier Danny Hanrahan, 51, described himself as a traveller who has a lot of admiration for the Queen and the Royal Family. The father-of-four has been sleeping rough for three weeks, he claims he left home due to arguments with his family.
Danny was private in the infantry, he served in the 90s, stationed in Afghanistan and Kuwait. He “struggles” with alcohol, drinking on average about seven or eight cans of beer a day.
Danny said: “I love the Queen. I served my country, very well. I won’t be raising a can for the Queen, as the Queen doesn’t drink and it would be disrespectful.”
The 51-year-old says the national event has inspired him to look for maintenance, gardening or groundwork.
He added: “My message to the Queen and the Royal Family is...I’m a gypsy and a traveller. God bless her. I hope things can be better for the army and for the environment in our country. Such as why are things going up, like prices, the gas bills, electricity, and you know, food wise, garages, fuel. Everything has gone up in the crisis.
“I wish her good health and luck. I hope people can get by and I hope the Royals can help out in the Royal way for people with addictions to beer or drugs."
'Good health'
Richie Nicholson, 40, has been sleeping rough on and off since he was a teenager. He has suffered with alcohol addiction in the past and describes himself as an alcoholic.
For the last four weeks, he’s been on streets, following his wife’s death. Richie says she committed suicide with a drug overdose.
The father-of-one, 14, sits by the Greggs in Kirkgate, Leeds city centre, as it’s a good spot if someone wants to purchase him a bite to eat rather than giving him money.
The former chef and gardener said he won’t be celebrating the jubilee due to all the issues in his life but he wishes her his best. Richie said: “I would have liked to have celebrated it but with what’s going on, it doesn’t mean anything to me right now.
“But it’s not their [the Royal family’s] fault, it’s not their problem. I wish the Queen good health, I don’t like to talk about politics and things like that. First and foremost, I’m an anarchist and I don’t support the Government full stop.
“Seventy years is a fantastic achievement. I have nothing against her, I support her just like I would any sweet old lady. She’s alright.”
If you are concerned for someone on the street, you can report it here. Leeds homeless charities which can be contacted include St. George's Crypt, St. Anne's Resource Centre, York Street Health Practice and Forward Leeds.
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