Former homeless man reunites with Greggs manager who bought him breakfast each morning – and saved his life

Store manager Shelagh bought Josh Ellis his breakfast and a hot drink every morning he was homeless outside
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A former homeless man who has been clean from cocaine and spice for more than four months has reunited with the woman he says saved his life by buying him breakfasts.

Josh Ellis 25, was addicted to both substances for nearly two years.

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He has now been clean from drugs for more than 120 days after getting help and being supported by Vulnerable Citizen Support Leeds, a charity based in the city that provides food parcels to struggling individuals and families, and assists in finding accommodation for those who need it.

Ellis was found on the streets of Leeds outside a Greggs store in a sleeping bag on Kirkstall Road (Photos: Yorkshire Evening Post/JPI Media/Google)Ellis was found on the streets of Leeds outside a Greggs store in a sleeping bag on Kirkstall Road (Photos: Yorkshire Evening Post/JPI Media/Google)
Ellis was found on the streets of Leeds outside a Greggs store in a sleeping bag on Kirkstall Road (Photos: Yorkshire Evening Post/JPI Media/Google)

Ellis was found by the charity – which aims to help the most destitute people in society – on the streets of Leeds outside a Greggs store in a sleeping bag on Kirkstall Road.

He has even started to work as a landscaper thanks to help from the charity, who helped him find somewhere to live.

Photographs taken of Ellis when he was an addict in contrast to this week have garnered huge reaction on social media in Leeds.

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Shelagh – the store manager of the bakery branch – bought Ellis his breakfast and a hot drink every morning he was homeless outside, and now, he has returned to find her to express his thanks.

Ellis told Shelagh she had saved his life, without her knowing it. He told her: "I want to say thank you for what you did buying me breakfast each morning."

The pair posed for photographs to mark the occasion, which have since gone viral on social media.

This story was originally published on our sister title, the Yorkshire Evening Post

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A version of this article originally appeared on our sister title, the Yorkshire Evening Post

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