A formerly homeless man has told the incredible story of his resilience after years of abuse and heartbreak, as part of a photo series on the streets of Leeds.
Known only as Daz, he volunteers at St George's Crypt in the city, which helps the homeless, the disadvantaged and vulnerable, and those suffering from addiction.
The Crypt provides practical support in terms of accommodation, getting fed, cleaned up and clothed, as well as job opportunities - and was part of a week-long series by the Facebook page 'Humans of Leeds'.
A photographer known as 'Z' runs the site, which is inspired by Humans Of New York, and spent a week photographing those working at the Crypt, and affected by homelessness.
Daz discussed his downfall of addiction, explaining his parents abuse and told the photojournalist that the only thing he wants in life is to see his own daughter again.
"My life hasn’t been brilliant but I guess you make what you want of it. I feel like my life has taken a turn and it’s starting to go uphill now. I’d like to see my daughter again. Reconnect with her, and continue doing what I’m doing,” he said.
Humans Of Leeds
(01 of04)
Open Image Modal“My dad was a heavy drinker, and a heavy handed man. My earliest memory of him was when I was six or seven. I was sat at the kitchen table doing my homework. He came in from work, started shouting and asking why his tea wasn’t on the table. He hit me so hard I flew across the room and landed on the other side of the kitchen. Then he proceeded to start on my mum. It was a usual occurrence while I was growing up. Years and years of physical abuse.
"When I was fifteen I was sleeping in bed one night. I remember waking up to find it was unusually dark. I was confused for a minute, unsure of where I was. I pushed my fingers in-between the darkness and my face. I managed to push it off, realising it was a pillow. It was my mum, trying to suffocate me. I managed to throw her off. I got dressed, took what little belongings I had and left. I’ve not been back since.” (credit:Humans Of Leeds)
(02 of04)
Open Image Modal"After leaving home, I decided to go to London with a friend. He knew people and we thought we could get work down there. On our third week there he died due to a heroin overdose. That was the start of my ten year stint, sleeping rough.
"I lived in a place called ‘Cardboard City’. A huge area, near Waterloo Station, where all the homeless hung out in the 80’s. It was a common occurrence, waking up to dead bodies around me. People had died due to the cold, or choked to death because of drugs.
"I found my way back to Leeds, and managed to get some housing. I was living in a block of flats. One morning, I heard the doorbell ring so went downstairs to open the door. There were six men waiting for me with baseball bats. When they’d finished with me, there was a massive pool of blood and a chunk of my skull next to where I lay.
"Because of that incident I’ve developed an aneurysm - a blot clot in my brain which will never heal. It constantly bubbles blood out, and will continue to do so until I die. I get intense migraines because of it.” (credit:Humans Of Leeds)
(03 of04)
Open Image Modal“I was kicked out of the flat sometime later, and I was living on the streets again. I came to the crypt and spoke to the CEO. He got me some temporary accommodation in a local hostel, and a few weeks later I was lucky to get offered a council flat.
"I ended up meeting someone and having a daughter together. We moved in to the flat and it was good for a while. I was volunteering at the crypt at the time. I had been for several years. There was a chance it was going to be made into a permanent, paid position. I didn’t tell her that at the time, I wanted to surprise her.
"Exactly two weeks before I got the position, I came home from volunteering one night. There were a load of bin-liners outside, with all my personal belongings inside. The house was dark, boarded-up. She’d left me, moved to Cumbria. I’ve not seen her, or my daughter since.” (credit:Humans Of Leeds)
(04 of04)
Open Image Modal“She’d left me homeless, once again. I was back to square one. After years and years of the same cycle, I asked myself, ‘Do you want to keep doing this? End up dead like so many other people you’ve known?’ The answer was a resounding ’No’.
"I came back to the crypt and I explained to them what had happened. The CEO was happy with the three years I’d spent volunteering as a doorman, and offered me a full-time position. I did that for over three years, building up the trust and relationships with all the other members of staff. They gave me a full-time position of warden after that, and I’ve had that role for eight years now.
"My life hasn’t been brilliant but I guess you make what you want of it. I feel like my life has taken a turn and it’s starting to go uphill now. I’d like to see my daughter again. Reconnect with her, and continue doing what I’m doing.” (credit:Humans Of Leeds)
The response to the photoseries, which has been shared hundreds of times, has ranged from the inspired, to the thankful, with floods of people commenting on the pictures.
"The strength of the human spirit can be a marvel. Great to see someone overcome so much and not come out bitter and hate filled on the other side. Hope life keeps on getting better for you mate," wrote James Powell.
Angela Richardson said: "Thank you for sharing your life story, I have taken strength from your words to keep on moving forwards through the treacle."
Whilst Rosa Peterson wrote: "Thank you for your story keep on doing the brilliant work that you are doing you are such an inspiration hope and pray that you and your daughter will be united."