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A homeless man is being taken to his first debs by a volunteer

21-year-old Adam Skinner never got to attend his own debutante’s ball, but that is all set to change following an offer from volunteer Sarah Jane Curtis.

HOMELESS MAN ADAM Skinner (21) never had the opportunity to attend his own school debs.

He might have thought the opportunity was gone, but not so. For a homeless volunteer with action group March for the Homeless (MFTH), Sarah Jane Curtis (19), has just invited Adam to her own. And he’s going.

The story first came to light when MFTH founder Darren Bradley put a shout-out on the group’s Facebook page asking for help in funding Adam’s tuxedo and other clothing with the debs just over a week away.

mfth2

Speaking to TheJournal.ie Rathfarnham-native Sarah Jane says that she wants the story to be about Adam, and the position he’s in.

“I don’t really like attention so it’s a bit strange,” she says.

I’ve only known Adam for a couple of months through the group, hanging around and talking to people, but he’s just a lovely person.

sj1 Sarah Jane Curtis

When Adam, originally from Ballyfermot, said yes to Sarah Jane’s invitation the race was on to provide him with a tuxedo, shoes, cuff-links and all the trimmings that go with a debs date.

“I’m just trying to get a dress sorted now,” she says.

Obviously with this situation a lot can happen between now and the debs, but hopefully it will all get sorted.

With just six days to go until the big event in Naas, Co Kildare everything seems to have fallen into place with the most recent offer of a limousine to transport Adam and Sarah Jane the icing on the cake.

mfth1

Founder of MFTH Darren says he’s been “completely overwhelmed” by the public’s support for Adam.

“I am so happy that Adam has been given this opportunity,” he told us.

As soon as the initial post went up we were flooded with offers, including a white Rolls Royce to take them there in style.

Adam is currently spending several nights a week with a Dublin family who have volunteered to take him into their home. As Sarah Jane adds:

When all is said and done Adam is still on the streets which is awful and a position he doesn’t deserve to be in.

Read: Peter McVerry says hostels are such a disgrace he’s been advising people to sleep rough

Read: The spend on emergency accommodation has already hit €4.5m for 2015

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34 Comments
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    Mute Magnus
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    Sep 11th 2015, 11:08 AM

    If there’s anything else needed for them please post it here on these boards. Wonderful idea and gesture. And what a good looking young man. He’lll look fantastic!

    321
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    Mute MarchForTheHomeless
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    Sep 11th 2015, 2:55 PM

    We Have Everything Sorted For Them Thank You Everyone For Your Support And Kindness. He Is Getting Sized For His Suit Today :)

    121
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    Mute Spilt Pint
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    Sep 11th 2015, 5:34 PM

    Capital stuff! Sincerely though.

    25
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    Mute Enforcer
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    Sep 11th 2015, 11:10 AM

    If only our government would show as much compassion for our Irish homeless.

    226
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    Mute Donna Moss
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    Sep 11th 2015, 11:19 AM

    Why can’t things be done quietly anymore? Everyone craves attention on Fb etc if you want to do something good then brilliant but there is no need to tell the world about it.

    198
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    Mute Magnus
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    Sep 11th 2015, 11:29 AM

    They put out a request on FB saying “one of their volunteers” is looking for help. That’s how it developed as far as I can see. Doesn’t seem to me to be an egocentric initiative. On the contrary in fact. As she said herself it’s not about her. And it isn’t. It’s about him an no-one else.

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    Mute Paul Furey
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    Sep 11th 2015, 11:49 AM

    Don’t be such a moaning minnie. I’m sure there are 100,000′s of great things happening every day and nobody posts. And it’s nice to get a good story every so often.

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    Mute John B
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    Sep 11th 2015, 1:47 PM

    I agree with Donna, the person that benefits most from this is not the homeless person. However it does give everyone a luvvy duvvy glow. Won’t help the homeless guy that much long term but is nice click bait.

    19
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    Mute Sinead Kane
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    Sep 11th 2015, 4:29 PM

    The papers seen the shout out and got in touch looking for an interview. They didn’t go looking for publicity. And isn’t it good to read a happy ending story instead of all the doom and gloom we are getting so used to reading in the news?

    23
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    Mute Spilt Pint
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    Sep 11th 2015, 5:36 PM

    Alright Donna, fire-and-forget comment? Presumably you like your charity like your dust.. Under the carpet.

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    Mute Laura Ryan
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    Sep 11th 2015, 1:31 PM

    Hope Adam and Sarah Jane have a great time :) and well done to Darren and all the volunteers at March for the homeless..nice to hear a good story for a change :)

    168
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    Mute Dan Waters
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    Sep 11th 2015, 2:29 PM

    will you be putting him up in you house afterwards or will you all dump once you have all got your 15 minutes of fame.

    50
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    Mute MarchForTheHomeless
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    Sep 11th 2015, 2:57 PM

    No He Will Be Staying At A Hotel For The Night And After That He Will Be Moving Into Permanent Accommodation That Came To Light Yesterday. We Don’t Do This For Fame We Do This To Help These People As Much As We Can Because Our Government Won’t. Can I Ask What You Do For The Homeless?

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    Mute David Langan
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    Sep 11th 2015, 3:18 PM

    it was a fair question. less attitude from agencies is far move likely to get support from the public

    44
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    Mute Sharon Reid
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    Sep 11th 2015, 4:28 PM

    15min of fame for who though? The girl said so herself she isn’t used to so much attention and I hardly think she asked the lad for it to be spread over social media. As for attitude I’d be more concerned over the attitude to belittle the work the group do just because they were looking for help for Adam to get suited and booted for the event so he could attend would make me more likely to lend a hand. And while I may not be able to put up the lad in my home doesn’t mean that we just ignore the homeless because we can’t house them plenty of other ways to help them. thankfully this guy has now gotten somewhere to stay now a happy ending.

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    Mute Dan Waters
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    Sep 11th 2015, 4:52 PM

    I do my bit, but I don’t Broadcast it to make myself self important.

    23
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    Mute Spilt Pint
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    Sep 11th 2015, 5:32 PM

    Well Dan, if this makes the media it keeps the issue in the minds of the populace and has a human interest aspect.. Glad you do your bit but sometimes importance isn’t self-centred. Otherwise Oskar Schindler was the most cunning marketer in history

    36
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    Mute Little Diddy No
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    Sep 12th 2015, 1:19 AM

    Well done in highlighting this issue and telling a story about a lovely young man, a human being – which ALL the homeless people in this so-called Christian country are. I am disgusted with this country not doing anything about our homeless crisis – instead Fine Gael are shamefully offering us tax cuts – as if they have no moral leadership or faith in Irish people to care more about basic decency and basic services for all instead of getting a few measly pounds back in tax cuts. Meanwhile adolescents in emotional distress are still waiting a year to see a psychiatrist. An indecent society.

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    Mute Kev Barnes
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    Sep 11th 2015, 1:35 PM

    At last!!!! Some decency left in the world!!!! Make sure you have the night of your life brother!!!! Warms me heart to see there’s still some good people willing to help others out there

    113
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    Mute liam lally
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    Sep 11th 2015, 11:47 AM

    Where is the debs been held, I will help.

    110
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    Mute Richard Cynical
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    Sep 11th 2015, 2:18 PM

    probably in the kadeen hotel

    5
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    Mute Dan Waters
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    Sep 11th 2015, 11:28 AM

    this man should be given a home, of course the cultural marxists are not interested unless your a muslim.

    107
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    Mute Tap Solny
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    Sep 11th 2015, 11:50 AM

    Once somebody reaches the age of 16 they should be automatically supplied with their own home. if they are not working they should receive a generous welfare payment that would cover the cost of electricity, gas, water, house insurance, maintenance, entertainment, cigarettes, beer, holidays, clothes, education, car, car tax, car insurance, petrol, health insurance and perhaps the odd flutter on the horses. The rich will pay.

    93
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    Mute Wolfe Stirfry
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    Sep 11th 2015, 12:33 PM

    I agree that he should be given a home. But it’s ridiculous that members of the extreme right such as yourself try to use every story as an excuse to promote an Islamaphobic agenda.

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    Mute Dan Waters
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    Sep 11th 2015, 1:06 PM

    I am pro women pro gay pro freedom MS Wolfe Srirfry ask you muslims friends how many of them supported gay marriage. Anyone who thinks outside the PC box is rightwing extremist then, wow thanks for your insight.

    35
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    Mute Dan Waters
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    Sep 11th 2015, 2:25 PM

    so every who has red thumb me supports ISIS killing of gays interesting

    15
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    Mute Spilt Pint
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    Sep 11th 2015, 5:40 PM

    Actually Dan I’ve just donned a hijab and slaughtered a heathen homosexual just to red thumb you. Ne ne NA-ne nehhhh!!!!!!

    9
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    Mute Jacob Pahmer
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    Sep 11th 2015, 11:03 AM

    The Salvation Army.
    Where romance begins.

    40
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    Mute fuve
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    Sep 11th 2015, 5:49 PM

    Oh my god I am going to cry. I know Adam from where I worked and he is an absolute decent intelligent young man. Hope he has a wonderful time and all the luck and happiness on world now. Through no fault of his own he ended up in this situation. Delighted for him. When I become multi millionaire I am seriously going to buy out buildings and make sure no one in this country sleep rough or cold again. SF will be best people to work with on this as a party.

    28
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    Mute Trev Handyman
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    Sep 11th 2015, 5:07 PM

    Respect given to all involved. Zero respect for the government who just arent concerned. Its 2015 and the so called recovery is well under way……..oh but thats just for the 10% rich ones…..the other 90% have to struggle on. And there is more homeless to come with the evictions being ever so rampant and rental prices going through the roof that no one can actually afford to live in bricks and mortar. The government is a disgrace to its own people.

    23
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    Mute fixxxation
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    Sep 11th 2015, 12:10 PM

    I bet you will Liam you filthy man.

    17
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    Mute Keelan O'neill
    Favourite Keelan O'neill
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    Sep 11th 2015, 12:45 PM

    While you all out taking other homeless to the debs see if you can find your sense of humour wondering the streets.

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    Mute Keelan O'neill
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    Sep 11th 2015, 12:26 PM

    Or at least a decent cardboard box.

    2
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    Mute ✨McCrazy✨
    Favourite ✨McCrazy✨
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    Sep 12th 2015, 3:40 PM

    He has been given a home . A family took him in . The MFH people released another video telling the good news .

    1
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