Gregory and Bruno need a new home

A once homeless man and his four-legged companion once again face being homeless.

The people he had been living with the past months since April are relocating and Gregory Everts and Bruno have to move.

A concerned Bonaero Park resident, Gill Myburgh, who has played a vital role in Gregory’s rehabilitation, is once again trying to find him and his dog a new home.

“Many Bonaero Park residents will recall seeing Gregory and Bruno outside the Checkers shopping centre earlier this year and others further afield will have read about his unfortunate circumstances in Kempton Express. Gregory was deeply touched and overwhelmed by the many caring and generous people who offered to assist him in his time of need,” she said.

“There is little resemblance to the Gregory we saw then and the one we see today. He has done everyone who helped him proud and is well and truly getting his life back on track. It just goes to show that a little help, patience and faith can work wonders.

“Gregory keeps very much to himself, spending his days at a make-shift workbench, hand-carving violins, guitars, crucifixes and rugby balls from wooden off-cuts and sanded down Rhodesian teak floor tiles. He sometimes has to improvise if he doesn’t have a tool. He started by using a chisel made by breaking the end off a table knife,” Myburgh said.

Since then well-wishers have donated tools and a grinder, which has made life considerably easier for him. Gregory is very modest about his work but he really is very talented and extremely meticulous with every piece he produces.

With Christmas approaching he was hoping to take a stall at a local craft market to sell his goods but now disaster has struck again, because the owner of the property where he’s been staying is relocating and he has until the end of October to find alternative accommodation.

Myburgh needs someone in the Bonaero Park/Pomona or surrounding areas able and prepared to assist them with a place to live so that Gregory can continue to support himself with his woodwork.

“After this success story it would be really tragic if they were forced to return to the streets,” she said.

If you can help or know someone who can, call her on 072-688-9621.

Call her too if you are interested in viewing or purchasing Gregory’s unusual handiwork, which would make excellent Christmas gifts.

The rugby balls would brighten up any bar. They are available in all sizes, with or without clocks, for all the South African teams. In fact, he can attach absolutely anything you’d like, wildlife too.

The violins and guitars can either be mounted on stands or can be made to hang on the wall. They too come in various sizes and with or without clocks.