“There are tons of homeless people in Glasgow with little help. This way I was able to help them by doing something I’m passionate about.”Barber Paul McLaren helps the homeless in Glasgow
A kind-hearted Scots barber has made it his mission to help those living on the streets of Glasgow after helping reunite a homeless man with his family.
Paul McLaren took to Glasgow city centre on March 30 to provide the homeless with free haircuts. The 22-year-old from Stepps took to the pavements with his barbering equipment for three hours before anyone was willing to be styled.
In touching footage shared on his social media, the former Alloa Athletic footballer meets Charles Rodney Norris, who had been living in a tent on Sauchiehall Street. Charles then tells Paul about his journey to becoming homeless in the heartbreaking clip.
How Charles looked pre-haircut(Image: Supplied)
Speaking on the idea behind the video, the barber for Edition Salon in Glasgow’s southside, said: “I’m always thinking about different types of content to make. There are tons of homeless people in Glasgow with little help. This way I was able to help them by doing something I’m passionate about.
“I am planning on making it a series but people are obviously sceptical. We walked around for three hours before anyone was willing to do it.
“We are obviously going around with a camera so some people were put off. Hopefully once more people start seeing what we are doing then the more people we can help.
“Thankfully, Charles agreed to do it and he was amazing. Getting to know Charles was amazing. He told me his story and it was horrible to hear what he had gone through.”
The results were astonishing (Image: Supplied)
As the ex-Rutherglen Revival Room stylist worked his magic, trimming Charles’ long hair into a fresh middle-part style and shaping his beard into a neat goatee, the pair spoke about life, loss and hardship. Charles revealed he had travelled to Glasgow around Christmas time after the death of his grandmother.
In a tragic account, he shared how since 2013 he had lost three brothers, his mum, dad and best friend. The grief, combined with losing £120,000, led him into financial ruin and a downward spiral into heroin addiction.
Now clean, Charles is trying to rebuild his life. Moved by his story, Paul decided to go even further and purchase a bus ticket for Charles to return home to Nottingham.
Paul bought Charles a bus ticket home(Image: Supplied)
He said: “I wanted to thank him for participating in the video, I couldn’t think of a better way to repay him than buying him a bus ticket back to Nottingham to help reunite him with his family. Charles was so grateful and it gave me a massive buzz.”
The emotional climax of the video shows Charles, visibly overwhelmed, thanking Paul from the bottom of his heart.
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Pointing at him, he said: “You’ve got the biggest heart and I rate you so much. I’m forever grateful. You’ve got me home. You’ve got me home with a clean haircut and a big smile.”
The clip has since exploded online attracting over 100k views, with thousands praising Paul’s kindness and generosity. Paul added: “I’m super overwhelmed by the response. It’s been amazing. I’m just glad we were able to help someone get home to their family.”
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