Not many of you would have heard the name PC Ian Northcott before the 1st June 2013, but things changed that day.
While on duty in Birmingham City Centre, PC Ian Northcott, borrowed a guitar from a resident busker and gave the people shopping that day a rendition of the Classic Oasis song, "Wonderwall", stopping people in their tracks. Many individuals videoed this, then posted them on You Tube. Overnight, it became a internet sensation, PC Ian Northcott then became known as the BUSKING BOBBY.
BUT there is a lot more to Ian than blasting out a Oasis hit in a busy Birmingham street, Ian has served as a Police Officer for over 22 years in roles such as Fast Response, Training, on helicopters as well as a Retail Crime Officer (which was the role he was doing at the time of the video). In his precious downtime he was the person behind an initiative called SOCKS & CHOCS FOR THE HOMELESS.
The media interest in the Busking Bobby gave Ian the ideal opportunity to promote this initiative and make a difference to many homeless individuals in Birmingham/Coventry/Wolverhampton.
SOCKS & CHOCS EVENT 2014
The initiative Socks & Chocs for the homeless was founded in 2012 and has become an annual event, quote from Ian himself why he does it:
"I was walking through Birmingham last night on the way back from a concert and was approached by a homeless man who needed money to buy a safe bed for the weekend
After I had tried to ensure he would use any money to actual buy the bed, I explained our Socks & Chocs for the homeless event to him. He said "Man, I would love a new pair of socks they would make such a difference." "
The idea of the Socks & Chocs event is to provide the homeless with exactly these items in the run up to Christmas each year. Such a small gesture can be a God send to those individuals who are living on the streets.
WHAT CAN YOU DO!
The best thing about this event is it isn't asking for your donation in the form of cash, but literately Socks and bars of chocolate. Whether, you donate a pair of socks that you were given as an unwanted gift from old Aunt Sally or a couple of pairs from the local pound shop or supermarket. The recipients of these items are extremely grateful and aren't out to make a fashion statement but keep warm. Although the main donations are that of Socks and Chocolate things like sleeping bags, hats and gloves are greatly appreciated.
For Christmas 2014 Socks & Chocs for the homeless have given themselves a target of distributing 10000 pairs of socks to the homeless.
If you would like to help, here is a list of collection points. Please ensure that you mark the packages clearly with SOCKS & CHOCS 2014.
Coventry Wolverhampton
Coventry Cyrenians Good Shepherd Soup kitchen
Oakwood House Darlington Street
Cheylesmore Wolverhampton
Coventry WW1 14F
CV1 2HL
Birmingham Worcester
SIFA Fireside Maggs Day Centre
Allcock Street Deansway
Digbeth Worcester
Birmingham WR1 2ID
B9 4DY
Pleasure by Ian Northcott
ARE YOU A BUDDING MUSICIAN ?
As part of promoting the event, Ian has written a song which he wishes to be the most covered song on You tube, CAN YOU HELP? Here is a snippet of the song and chords.
PLEASURE IAN NORTHCOTT
G D C
G D G
Em Am
G D C
So unpleasant to the eye of
the common man
With sores, dirty bodies and scabies
Asking for money
Upsetting the ladies
Nobody really gives a damn.
Begging change to buy a safe bed
Hunger, addiction and pain
Troubled existence
Lives down the drain
Nobody cares if they live or if they're dead.
Am Em
Am C
G D A D
A D
For full lyrics and chords check out Socks & Chocs facebook page
AS FOR PC IAN NORTHCOTT
Ian continues to work for the Police but within a new role, that of running the Princes Trust team using his skills in motivation and influence. The latest project is to provide Social Survival courses in practical skills and work experience for the youth of the West Midlands.
FINAL WORD FROM IAN HIMSELF
"I want Socks & Chocs to inspire people to run their own collections and deliver to people where they live, I want Police forces to get on board"
Links
Twitter @buskingbobby
Facebook Socks and Chocs page https://www.facebook.com/sockschocs
you can follow us on
Twitter @positivepoluk
Facebook Positive Police UK https://www.facebook.com/POSIPOPOUK
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