From dealing drugs to food parcels: Pastor Mick, Burnley, and a covid crisis

Pastor Mick Fleming has devoted all of his time in this lockdown to supporting the poorest communities in Burnley. But his life hasn’t always been this way. He tells us how he swapped a life of crime and dealing drugs for supporting people 24/7 with food parcels, clothes, through suicide attempts and drug relapses. And says that the suffering of the poorest members of his town should make society deeply uncomfortable, more now in the covid crisis, than ever. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org You can donate to Church on the Street (a registered charity) here ► https://ift.tt/3pTv7gs The Guardian publishes independent journalism, made possible by supporters. Contribute to The Guardian today ► https://bit.ly/3biVfwh Website ► https://ift.tt/1AFLGzy Facebook ►https://ift.tt/RENIv3 Twitter ► https://twitter.com/guardian Instagram ► https://instagram/guardian