Leeds man Peter Dzurko could easily be mistaken for a flash middle-aged professional, wearing designer gear, hampered down with hefty shopping bags full of products and slicked back bleach dyed hair. But his public image couldn’t be further from the truth.
The cost of living crisis has hit people hard in all walks of life in Leeds, not least of all the city’s rough sleepers. The cost of energy, gas, electricity and food inflation have continued to surge due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia.
Just to make ends meet, Peter rifles through bins to find items to sell in addition to begging for change from passing shoppers. The 40-year-old finds having to live like this “stressful” and is imploring employers to give him a job.
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A prime spot for Peter lies in a side street just of The Headrow in the city centre, where two large industrial wheelie bins reside in Upper Basinghall Street. It’s tucked away in plain sight, away from the shops and the roar of the traffic.
Peter, who’s originally from the Czech Republic, showed off some of his best finds which included trainers and other knick-knacks. He had two bags full of discarded goodies. Picking up a colourful throw out of a wheelie bin, he decided against bagging it and flung it back into the pile of rubbish.
He’s spent 14 years in the UK and desperately wants to make a better life for himself. He claims to have an “empty” home to go to but prefers life on the streets.
Peter said: “I look for things to make money with but there is nothing here today. I look for things to sell. I sleep outside, everywhere. I look through the bins some of the days.
"I have been sleeping rough for one year. I live in a house but it’s empty.”
'I have nothing'
Asked why he’s resorted to rifling through the bins for discarded goodies, Peter replied: “Because I don’t have a job, I don’t have anything to make myself. It’s very stressful because I have no money, I have nothing. I have to get a job or something. Sometimes I have to skip meals but not everyday.
The 40-year-old remains hopeful, however, with hope for what the future may bring in the UK. He said: “I like it here, it’s better, I can get a good job and there are nice people here.”
If you are concerned for someone on the street, you can report it here . Leeds homeless charities which can be contacted include St. George's Crypt, St. Anne's Resource Centre, York Street Health Practice and Forward Leeds.
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