Seconds after a bomb exploded in the foyer of Manchester Arena last week, Chris Parker knew just what he had to do.
The 33-year-old – who had been living on the streets of Manchester for years – rushed to the aid of those injured in the attack.
He ran to help a little girl whose legs had been blown off in the attack, wrapping a T-shirt around her legs. He then held a woman with “serious head and leg injuries” as she died in his arms.
His heroic actions didn’t go unnoticed by the public, and a GoFundMe account was soon set up to help raise money – over AU$90,000 – to help Chris get off the streets.
He was even reunited with his estranged mother, Jessica, after she spotted him on the evening news.
But a week and a half after the bombing, Chris is still living on the streets, with a Manchester local spotting him and taking a selfie to share his story.
"So I just bumped into none other than Chris Parker on my commute to Manchester, I gave him all the money I had in my purse as I think he more than deserves it," Marissa Lowe wrote on Facebook.
"However, he told me one thing, HE IS STILL HOMELESS! How is it the GoFundMe pages have been set up, thousands have been raised but he's still on the streets?
"He was honestly such a gentleman, gave him several hugs as well and wished him well."
Her post has now been shared over 27,000 times, prompting the man who started the GoFundMe campaign - Michael Johns - to clarify the situation.
LISTEN: We Need To Talk About Manchester. Post continues...
"With the response it has gone from being a fairly straightforward case of just handing over a relatively small amount to having an amount that is *potentially* life changing," he wrote on an update to the fundraising campaign.
"At the end of last week we enquired with GoFundMe about being able to draw out some of the money to keep Chris going in the meantime," he added.
"GoFundMe have stated this is not possible due to their payment processor.
"We are meeting with Chris now to discuss how to take this forward and if there is anything we can do in lieu of the funds being transferred."
Since Chris's situation has been given so much media attention, a spokesperson for GoFundMe confirmed to Metro UK that they are making a special exception to release a portion of the funds to him.
"It typically takes several days for the payment processor to transfer the funds to an individual," a spokesperson for the site said.
"Rather than waiting for that process to be completed, GoFundMe has decided to wire a portion of the funds to get Chris immediate relief.
"We're in constant contact with the campaign organiser, and we're working hard to get this money to Chris in the most effective way possible."
Michael Johns reminded those commenting on the campaign that despite their fundraising efforts, Chris is still a vulnerable person.
"In the space of little over eight days has had to deal with a terror attack in which adults and children were killed and maimed, a reunion with his mother, unprecedented press coverage, the responsibility and considerations of tens of thousands of pounds being donated to him, all whilst still wondering where his next meal is or where he is staying the night," Michael wrote.
"The end goal is for Chris to be taken off the streets permanently and given a second chance to get things right. Short term thinking could be extremely damaging."
If you'd like to support the victims of the attack and their families, you can donate to the Manchester attack victims fund here.
Top Comments
Surely it's up to Chris himself. There is a reason why he is on the streets. As the article states, he is a vulnerable person. Let him choose how and when he'd like to be helped.
Um, so whose bank account is the money in right now? GoFundMe donations are instantly deposited into a bank account - so whose is it? And who is making sure that Chris ultimately gets all the funds donated? $90k could pay his rent in advance for up to 6 years. It can't be that hard, surely?
Not according to the GoFundMe page. Donations are received by GoFundMe and you can request an withdrawal from that which takes 5-7 business days.