Leeds carpet fitter helps ex-SAS hero after TV appeal

Jamie Richardson, of Hunslet Road Carpets, was so touched by the story of Bob Curry, he travelled to Hereford himself to offer his services.

Bob had featured in the national press and on ITV’s Good Morning Britain after he was left homeless and spent months on a housing waiting list.

The former SAS soldier took part in the famous 1980 Iranian Embassy Siege but following the collapse of his business, helping veterans become locksmiths, he was left homeless and penniless.

He has now given a home by Herefordshire Council and Jamie went down at the weekend to fully fit it out with carpets, generously half-funded by fellow Leeds business Houston Roofing.

Jamie, who said he also regularly helps people in Leeds, said: “This one was for me. I’d read his story - he’d sold his medals.

“I just thought ‘I’m going to find out where he lives and I’m going to go down and help.”

Jamie – who travelled down with his colleague Rob Rook, and Rob’s nephew Jamie Rook – called Bob a “national hero” and said: “To be in his presence was unbelievable really. I will never forget it.”

The trio had taken a Yorkshire flag with them and left it with Bob, saying they did it “on behalf of Leeds/Yorkshire”.

Jim Kenyon, former Hereford Mayor, speaking on behalf of Bob said: “Bob has been really humbled by the support he’s got from around the country and across Yorkshire as well.”