Can anyone help a kid out - need a blackberry

_Jimlad_ · 5 Jul 2011 at 10:18

long story, but have a 14 year old polish lad come and stay next door to us, dad hung himself and mum is drunk and told him at the funeral not to come back, all he had was a white shirt and black trousers

he's doing well (3 months on) and the wife and I have kitted him out with all sorts likes a bike and old pc, he had his phone nicked at school last week, so trying to get hold of a cheap or free blackberry, any type will do...

if you can help drop me a msg via trust,

i have asked on the work forum and facebook, but thought i would try here

hope this thread is ok mods, as primary asking for a donation.

Martynt74 · 5 Jul 2011 at 12:04

How come it has to be a blackberry? I've a couple of other old phones knocking around at home

paradigm · 5 Jul 2011 at 12:09

What network?

Robbo · 5 Jul 2011 at 13:29

Do you know this is all true or just what he tells you?

If it's true, it's an awful situation but I don't see how it's your responsibility to look after him and give him lots of free things?

_Jimlad_ · 5 Jul 2011 at 14:03

Marvt74 said:
How come it has to be a blackberry? I've a couple of other old phones knocking around at home

i guess it does not have to be blackberry, but thats what he always talks about "when i get a job" stuff

paradigm said:
What network?

orange, but im happy to get it unlocked.

Robbo said:
Do you know this is all true or just what he tells you?

If it's true, it's an awful situation but I don't see how it's your responsibility to look after him and give him lots of free things?

yes its all true, he currently lives with our neighbours who are very young themselves, but have some connection to the lad. there is a lot more he has endured including his mum refusing to speak with him and burning all his stuff including xbox and passport.

and no he's not my responsibility, but he's a good kid and remarkably stable considering, don't get me wrong he bugs the heck out of me coming round everyday... but im in his corner, kitted him out with pretty much a full bedroom, mp3 players, bike, bed, TV, PC, draws & clothes... mostly from asking around and lost of 2nd hand stuff and even got £75 from a church charity fund for some sports gear.

Robbo · 5 Jul 2011 at 14:06

You can help him without throwing money/items at him though, right?

I'm not meaning to sound cynical but it just seems a strange thing to do, unless you're very charitable (which you seem to be) and loaded

paradigm · 5 Jul 2011 at 14:10

If you haven't found anything by Friday I'll see what I can dig up. Should be able to get a Bold 9000 or a Curve 8900 though.

Robbo · 5 Jul 2011 at 14:12

It will likely just get stolen again though, get him something cheap that can be replaced easily.

_Jimlad_ · 5 Jul 2011 at 14:21

Robbo said:
You can help him without throwing money/items at him though, right?

I'm not meaning to sound cynical but it just seems a strange thing to do, unless you're very charitable (which you seem to be) and loaded

does not feel strange to me, very natural, and its good to know we are helping, managed to stop the whole family getting evicted last month and now they have legal custody of him they are getting benefits for the lad, i don't think i have spent that much money on him either, just bits here and there, the best bit is, he hardly asks and is always well happy with anything unlike some kids i work with. lots of stuff have been given to me and then onto him, like i said he just had a white shirt and black trousers to him name when they got him straight after his dad funeral. Mum is scum of the earth!

paradigm said:
If you haven't found anything by Friday I'll see what I can dig up. Should be able to get a Bold 9000 or a Curve 8900 though.

mate that would be fantastic, the 8900 curve would be perfect for him.

Robbo said:
It will likely just get stolen again though, get him something cheap that can be replaced easily.

can't look at life that way, when something gets nicked or we have a bad experience we learn from it and become wiser, from what i gathered it was during work experience and 3 kids had there bags nicked by another lad but police cant prove it.

Im sure he will be more careful.

i could get him a ten quid pay as you go phone, and if all else fails i will, but im trying to get him something he wants, and for the 95% of his life that has not been the case. You remember whne your a kid and at xmas or birthdays you would either get those presents that are "yeah thanks mum" or "wooooooooow im chuffed and was not expecting that"

FARGO · 5 Jul 2011 at 15:05

Hats off to you - you are being very charitable. I'd help him get his passport replaced too as it may come in handy if he's on his own etc.

Nymins · 5 Jul 2011 at 15:06

Very nice of you, but I wouldn't over do it. You don't want to make him think that from his childhood experiences that he can get free stuff from people for the rest of his life.

_Jimlad_ · 5 Jul 2011 at 15:20

Nymins said:
Very nice of you, but I wouldn't over do it. You don't want to make him think that from his childhood experiences that he can get free stuff from people for the rest of his life.

yeah i know, some stuff i just give to his guardians and they may use as rewards or as they please, the idea is to kit him out with essentials + the things that most kids have, such as a few nike tops, a pc, some nice trainers, phone ect, mainly so he fits in as much as anything in school terms

paradigm · 8 Jul 2011 at 12:00

Right, I've sourced a Curve 9800, it's not "mint", but it's certainly not bad condition by any stretch. The back is lightly marred with hairline scratches, and there is a tiny chip on the chrome around the top edge, but other than that it's fantastic condition.

Bonus, it's an Orange branded one too.

topher · 8 Jul 2011 at 12:19

guys if people have blackberry they dont want! chuck one my way!

save me paying for curve 8520 for my daughter. cost around £100, thing is they aren't even that good looking at the spec. think it's just for BBM.

sorry for hijacking thread ;-)

_Jimlad_ · 8 Jul 2011 at 12:40

paradigm said:
Right, I've sourced a Curve 9800, it's not "mint", but it's certainly not bad condition by any stretch. The back is lightly marred with hairline scratches, and there is a tiny chip on the chrome around the top edge, but other than that it's fantastic condition.

Bonus, it's an Orange branded one too.

fantastic mate, email sent. so good you are able to help. He's gonna be made up

and thank you also to the other chap that offered to help.

Brilliant, i will post a pic up with him,

PS - got given a nice set of speakers and a shed load of baby clothes for the family from a local chap, so be like xmas in the house.

flibbage0 · 8 Jul 2011 at 13:02

topher said:
guys if people have blackberry they dont want! chuck one my way!

save me paying for curve 8520 for my daughter. cost around £100, thing is they aren't even that good looking at the spec. think it's just for BBM.

sorry for hijacking thread

I do hope you're not being serious.

This kid has been through a lot, his dad hung himself! He can't even talk to his mum.

Go buy your own Blackberry.

Wicksta · 8 Jul 2011 at 13:38

Haha reminds me of Freecycle where you get ****** asking for flatscreen TVs etc.

Nice job paradigm

topher · 8 Jul 2011 at 14:24

flibbage0 said:
I do hope you're not being serious.

This kid has been through a lot, his dad hung himself! He can't even talk to his mum.

Go buy your own Blackberry.

dude, get of your high horse... I never said the kid hadn't been through a lot...

and for info it was a joke, she wants a iphone.... anyone got one they dont want, lol

Robbo · 8 Jul 2011 at 14:30

I can sell you a 32GB iPhone 4, though it's going to be a little bit upwards of £100

MANFACE · 8 Jul 2011 at 14:32

Nice one jimlad.

I'm helping someone out as well. Mum is an alcoholic, Dad just out prison.

He's well into IT, very good at it too.