Carl Simpson (50) is the founder of the Raise the Roof Homeless project. He is a Good Samaritan and wanted to bring a ray of sunshine into the lives of 28 homeless people. He had booked 14 rooms for two days in a hotel in Hull. The dates were 24 and 25 December and it was inclusive of breakfast and Christmas dinner. The hotel was part of a leading chain of hotels and had accepted the booking but suddenly backed out without assigning any reason.

The Guardian reports a rival hotel has now stepped in and agreed to provide accommodation to the homeless people on a complimentary basis.

The subject has attracted a lot of attention on social media and when the people came to know about this, they raised funds to house the 28 homeless people over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Donations have poured in

The homeless live in isolation and depend on whatever little comes their way. During festivities, they watch and envy those who are better off and Carl Simpson, a cafe owner, wanted to bring some sort of cheer into the lives of 28 of these deprived souls. He had explained to the hotel in Hull that the booking was a goodwill gesture for these people. He also paid advance to the hotel to accommodate them during Christmas in 14 rooms on a twin sharing basis but that has not happened.

The hotel canceled the reservation without giving any reason.

Carl, the Good Samaritan, feels this to be a case of discrimination. However, all is not lost because there are others who want to express their solidarity with the homeless and have come forward and they will be able to enjoy Christmas. Incidentally, appreciation does not always come to the Good Samaritan.

Last year it was OK

Sky News adds Carl Simpson had taken such an initiative last year as well. He picked up 24 homeless people off the streets of Hull and paid for their stay in a hotel over Christmas. He said that they were grateful and expressed their gratitude by leaving gifts for the staff. One of them wanted to vacuum the rooms to show his appreciation. The homeless have not chosen to remain homeless but are usually victims of circumstances, and could face danger.

In the present case, Carl had paid in advance to the hotel on 13 December to book 14 rooms for a two-night stay from Christmas Eve until Boxing Day. It would give them an opportunity to “have a decent bath, have a bed, a good meal and have a bit of normality.” However, the hotel canceled the booking and said they would refund the advance without giving any reason. Ms. Hayley Harrington is a director of the Raise the Roof Hull homeless project charity. She shared information that they are in talks with another hotel and the issue will be resolved.