Bristol Businessman

Bristol businessman with history of homelessness gives back through donation scheme

Less than ten years ago Martin O’Rourke was homeless and sleeping rough around the city of Bristol.

But after building up his own company from scratch, the now successful businessman has vowed to help others in the same situation by fundraising for a local homelessness charity.

Reflecting on the harsh realities of homelessness, Martin said: “Homelessness was very upsetting and confusing because you haven’t got a home to go to. Through the day you don’t know what to do with yourself apart from trying to find the next place to set up for the night. All you think about is having a roof over your head, warm shower, a nice cosy bed and a home cooked dinner.”

Martin’s recovery story has been nothing short of extraordinary. He founded his waste collection company Martin’s Waste Solutions in 2014 by purchasing his first van with a loan. Since then the business has expanded to operate six vans and now employs a team of sixteen. The company conducts domestic and business waste removal services across an ever-expanding list of towns and regions across the South West, including Bristol, Bath, Swindon, Gloucester, Cirencester, Stroud and Cheltenham, in counting.

Martin and his team have now come up with a scheme through which his company donates £1 to St Mungo’s for every waste collection it makes in an effort to support others who find themselves sleeping rough in the South West. Martin said: “We chose St Mungo’s because they are a well-known homelessness charity in Bristol. I love what they do, including looking for people on the streets and offering them accommodation, giving people opportunities to get out of the situation they are in. The main thing is they give people a second chance and a helping hand.”

To date, the company has already donated more than £600 to St Mungo’s and is set to exceed its target of £5,000 within a year. The company also have ideas about how they might work alongside St Mungo’s in the future to provide training and employment opportunities for people recovering from homelessness.

St Mungo’s fundraising lead for the region, Lamorna Hooker, said: “We are really grateful to Martin and the team for coming up with such a fantastic fundraising idea that will really make a difference to the lives of people recovering from homelessness.

Martin’s personal story shows us that recovery and success after homelessness are possible, and his drive to help others who are going through similar struggles to those he has experienced in the past is truly admirable. We’re excited to see this local business going from strength to strength and are humbled that they have chosen to include St Mungo’s as part of that journey.”

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12 Words and Phrases That Only Make Sense to Bristolians

Me lover

Meaning: My darling, my dear, mate. This is a term of endearment and can be used for your family member, friends, acquaintances, random strangers. Gert

Meaning: A way of putting emphasis on something; used in the same way as ‘really’ or ‘very Lush

Meaning: Very, very nice. Something that is pleasing to one’s eye. ) Babber

Meaning: Another term of endearment meaning baby, babe, love. You get the picture.

How to use: “Alright me babber?” Innit

Meaning: Isn’t it just. Used a lot at the end of sentences or in response to something.

Drive

Meaning: No, this isn’t referring to something you do with a car. Or the award-winning Ryan Gosling film. This is actually what the locals in Bristol use when they’re thanking bus drivers and taxi drivers.

Mint

Meaning: A word that means really, really great.

Proper

Meaning: Again, this is used to describe something that’s really good and pleasing to the local Bristolian.

Where's it to?

Meaning: Where is it?

Brizzle

Meaning: Bristol.

Jason Donervan

Meaning: Only the very best chip van in the whole of Bristol. Where you go after a night on the Triangle (see three points above). 46

Bemmie

Meaning: Bedminster, an area south of the river in Bristol.

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