Watch: Maltese Student Tries To Help Homeless Man And His Dog Get Through Harsh UK Winter
A Maltese Masters student studying in Manchester has published a short but emotionally powerful film about a homeless man and his dog and is raising funds to help them find a warm place this winter.
As part of his MA in Wildlife Documentary Production at the University of Salford, Mark Trapani was told to come up with a short film showcasing a human-animal relationship.
His mind soon turned to Justin, a homeless man he met while cycling across town, and his dog Bumper.
“I wanted to use this assignment as a platform to create something meaningful and bring about a positive change in someone’s life,” Mark told Lovin Malta.
“Given the cost of living crisis in the UK, many people are facing difficult times and I wanted to create more awareness about this while at this same time showcasing the beautiful bond between man and dog.”
“Homeless people are often labelled as being drug addicts or alcoholics, but this isn’t always the case. I wanted this film to break this stigma and humanise homeless people.”
In the short film, Justin can be seen playing with and fondling Bumper on the streets of Manchester as passers-by look on.
“He’s the perfect companion, perfect family,” he says of his pet. “He’s my life, I’d be lost without him.”
After submitting the film, Mark went a step further, launching an online fundraiser with an initial €300 target to help man and dog keep warm this winter.
“Poor mental health can be both a cause and consequence of homelessness. Justin copes with all this thanks to his four-legged friend, Bumper,” Mark said. “Help them get a warm place this winter! Even the smallest of donations can go a long way.”
Cover photo: Left: Mark Trapani, Right: Justin and his pet dog Bumper
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