By, Lianne Kolirin
1 min read
By Lianne Kolirin , Lianne Kolirin
Shomrim, the Jewish volunteer neighbourhood watch group, has set up a crowdfunding campaign to help a homeless man who was attacked and robbed.
Thousands of pounds have already been donated to help Chris Main, 44, who has spent months sleeping rough in Clapton, east London, and is well known to Shomrim.
While on duty last weekend, volunteers Michael Scher and Ben Beigel stopped for a "friendly chat" with Mr Main. It was then he told them that he had been targeted by thugs three times in the previous week.
Mr Main, who survives by selling artwork he has sketched, to passers-by, was sleeping when a case full of his pictures was stolen, alongside some loose change he had collected that day.
In a separate incident he was kicked in the head as he was drawing and, just one later, was set upon yet again
Mr Scher said: "Somebody kicked him in the head and caused him to bleed by his ear. We contacted the police and bought him coffee and some cake."
Mr Main told Shomrim that the attacks left him feeling nervous.
Mr Beigel said: "He told us he is too afraid to go to sleep as he fears he will be robbed again. Chris is a very nice person, he's harmless and friendly."
On Monday, Shomrim set up the online fundraising page to assist Mr Main. It aims to raise £5,000 to provide him with clothing, food and art materials. The group is also meeting homeless charities to arrange sheltered accommodation for Mr Main and his dog.
Mr Scher said: "We set up the GoFundMe page because so many people wanted to help him.
"Everyone has been very supportive and he's now got a lot of people stopping to talk to him and help him."
Almost half the money was raised in less than 48 hours of the site going live.
Speaking to ITV News, Mr Main said he was very grateful to Shomrim and added: "I have never done anything wrong to anyone."
www.gofundme.com/helpchrisandhisdog