How two acts of kindness enabled ex-homeless Leeds man Josh Ellis to start boxing

Josh Ellis 25, was addicted to both spice and cocaine for nearly two years on the streets.

However, he has now been clean from drugs after being saved by Vulnerable Citizen Support Leeds, a charity based in the city fronted by Hayden Lee.

Josh has even started to work as a landscaper thanks to help from the charity, who helped him find somewhere to live.

Photographs taken of Josh when he was an addict in contrast to now have garnered huge reaction on social media in Leeds.

Many people have praised his heroic efforts so far.

Vulnerable Citizen Support C.I.C aims to help the most destitute people in society.

They provide food parcels to struggling individuals and families and assist in finding accommodation for anybody who needs it.

Their slogan is "Homeless Not Helpless".

The group found Josh on the streets of Leeds - outside a Greggs store in a sleeping bag on Kirkstall Road.

Last month, the YEP reported on Josh's reunion with Shelagh Wheeldon, 45, who bought him breakfast each morning.

After spotting the story, local legend 'John the Plumber' - known for his acts of kindness across the county - visited the Greggs store and left Shelagh an envelope.

A message on the envelope read: "Kindness from a stranger is the most kind of all."

Inside was £50 in cash to thank Shelagh for everything she did for Josh.

However, in an incredible second act of generosity, Shelagh has passed the money onto Josh - enabling to buy his own short for boxing.

She messaged Hayden Lee to say she was "privileged enough to have enough" in her own life and wanted Josh to have the money to help him.

Josh has now bought some shorts for boxing and is incredibly thankful for John and Shelagh's acts of kindness.

He even bought some flowers out of the money for Shelagh.

John said: "People like Shelagh don’t ever do it for praise or gratification or to be recognised & people like her don’t ever get noticed."

Josh is now more than three months clean and his story is shared daily on the Vulnerable Citizen Support C.I.C Facebook page.