Hearfelt tributes have poured in for a beloved Leeds man who spent nearly four decades working with homeless charities in the city.
Peter Richards, who worked at Engage Leeds, tragically died at the age of 61 after suffering a serious fall in his home.
Peter who was a father, partner, friend and much-loved colleague, was well-known for his work with housing and homelessness charities over the past 37 years.
He dedicated most of his working life to making a positive difference in people’s lives.
For the past three years, Peter worked as Engage Leeds' manager, with a specific remit of working with people who were experiencing multiple disadvantages, including those who were homeless and had complex needs.
Working alongside Paula Gardner, Peter gave those who may have been cast aside by society, another chance in life, and also helped them to secure a home.
Paying tribute, Paula said: "He did so much for so many people in Leeds. He worked with those with complex needs for well over 30 years, and he helped hundreds if not thousands of people at a second chance in life.
"He didn't do it because it was his job - he did it because it's the type of man he was.
"He was so down to earth. He truly put others people's needs before himself - he really wanted to put smiles on faces.
"As a man, he was down to earth, funny and very caring.
"He was a great person to be around. We're all going to miss him."
In his honour, the Engage Leeds Team are asking those who knew him to donate to Peter’s Fund.
The Fund will go towards supporting people with small budgets to help them overcome some of the barriers they might face in accessing the services they need.
This could be something as simple as buying a weekly bus pass to help them attend appointments, topping up their phone credit so we can keep in touch with them, or setting them up with a starter pack for a new home.
It could also help to buy some basic necessities that we might take for granted like toiletries, sanitary products, or pay for a haircut.
Paula added: "Peter was a lovely man with a wicked sense of humour and whilst he would not thank you for calling him sentimental he definitely cared for people who were struggling with life and to have this fund in his memory would make him very proud.
"So rather than flowers for the funeral his family would appreciate any donation to this fund.
"Small amounts of money that can make a big difference in someone’s life and we have been able to do so much with the money raised so far.
"He touched a lot of peoples lives, and he would be happy to know that he is continuing to do through this amazing fund."
You can donate to the fundraiser on GoFundMe and help the Engage Leeds Team here.
