War veteran uses compo payout to help homeless
A former Australian Army doctor and Afghan veteran is changing the lives of the most neglected, using the compensation money he received from the Defence Force.
NSW
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A FORMER Australian Army doctor and Afghan veteran is changing the lives of the most neglected, using the compensation money he received from the Defence Force.
Dr Daniel Mealey had returned home from deployment and was battling his own mental health and injustices from service when he first met Darryn Kimpton.
“I believe he had just been made redundant from his own work and about a year after we met, I found him again but in a state of homelessness,” Mr Mealey said.
“But I didn’t know him well enough to offer help at first and I was so wrapped up in my own problems with the ADF, that I honestly thought his problems would be resolved by someone else.”
But fate “kept bringing him back” and eventually Mr Mealey bought clothes for Mr Kimpton to keep him warm throughout winter and took an extra step once he moved into a home.
“I spent $850 on the essentials that everyone needs. $850 buys a human being all of the things that you need to cook a meal, to keep food fresh, to keep warm, to stay clean and dry,” he said.
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“I now see Darryn once every two or three weeks now and he’s doing so much better. We just take so much for granted in Australia.”
This isn’t the first time Mr Mealey has helped someone in a desperate situation.
In June, the veteran found himself saving Brendan Bailey, 29, who had been homeless since the age of 9, from taking his life on the Anzac Bridge by staying on the phone until police arrived.
“Only a week before this, I had given him food and shelter, an iPhone, new clothes and a new suit for an imminent court day for drug -related charges,” Mr Mealey said.
Mr Mealey’s selfless work for the homeless by providing them with basic needs and dignity as well as writing letters for them to the magistrate, has earned him a Pride of Australia nomination.
“I want to make Australia operates out of compassion again and to look after the underdog,” he said. “Somewhere along the line, we decided as a nation to simply stop loving.”
Pride of Australia nominations are open until midnight on Monday, October 21 at prideofaustralia.com.au