A homeless man credited with helping treat victims of Monday night’s deadly terror attack at an Ariana Grande concert will soon have a roof over his head after he was recognized for his heroism.
Stephen Jones, 35, was sleeping near England’s Manchester Arena when he heard a huge blast followed by the screams of crowds, ITV News reported.
Concert attendees, including small children, were fleeing from the stadium, some bloodied. Instead of running away himself, Jones said he came to their aid.
“Just because I’m homeless doesn’t mean that I haven’t got a heart and I’m not human still,” he told an ITV News reporter hours after the attack. “They needed the help. I’d like to think that someone would come and help me if I needed the help.”
In graphic detail, Jones recalled helping remove nails, glass and other shrapnel from victims’ faces, arms, and legs.
“It’s just instinct to go and help if someone needed your help. And it was children, and it was a lot of children with blood all over them and crying and screaming,” he said.
His harrowing story soon spread around the world, leading to an online fundraiser to afford him housing. As of Wednesday, the JustGiving account, created by a Manchester woman named Diane Moore, has raised more than $27,700.
His act of selflessness also caught the attention of an official with London soccer team West Ham United FC.
Co-chairman David Sullivan and his son, Dave Sullivan Jr., announced Wednesday that after a successful hunt to find Jones, they are bestowing six months rent upon him. They also plan to help him find work and supply him with extra money for clothing and other essentials.
“Dave and myself were both hugely impressed by the bravery shown by Steve, the emergency services and all those who rushed to the aid of those affected by the Manchester attack,” the team’s joint-chairman said in a statement. “This was a terrible incident, but the response of the people of Manchester has been one of bravery, togetherness and resilience – the hallmarks of what makes Britain such a fantastic place.”
The Sullivans said they will work with a local charity to determine how to best help him.
“Steve was just one of hundreds of people who forgot about their own safety and rushed to the aid of others, and we were both moved by his story,” Sullivan continued. “Steve deserves this chance to improve his own life after his selfless and heroic acts undoubtedly improved the lives of so many others.”
In a follow-up video shared by ITV News on Wednesday, Jones said he plans to use this opportunity to begin a new life for himself.
“This is my chance. I’ve done a few bad things in my life. I’ve been to prison, I was a drug user, so I want to get back on the straight and narrow and get back into working, sort out my life,” he said. “The donations, there was no need to. The kind words and acknowledgment was good enough for me, honestly.”
Jones wasn’t the only homeless man praised for rushing to help the victims of the violent explosion.
Thirty-three-year-old Chris Parker, told The Press Association that he was begging in the venue’s foyer with the bomb went off.
“I heard a bang and within a split second I saw a white flash, then smoke and then I heard screaming,” he told the U.K. news agency.
Racing to help, he said he found a child without any legs.
“I wrapped her in one of the merchandise T-shirts and I said, ‘where is your mum and daddy?’”
Parker said he additionally tended to a woman in her 60s who suffered fatal leg and head injuries.
An online fundraiser has also been set up for Parker. An online fundraiser has also been set up for Parker. Its organizer, a man named Michael Johns, reported that they are still working to make contact with him.
CORRECTION: This article previously referred to West Ham United as a local Manchester team; it is an East London team.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.