"Such a selfless, thoughtful, loving man."
That is how community members have described Reg Lambert, who was recently put into an aged care home after developing dizzy spells.
Not many people go out of their way to "walk in someone else's shoes" but Reg's drive to understand why people are homeless was so strong he did exactly that.
The 96-year-old and his late wife, Bet lived on the streets for four years by choice, in four different cities - Tamworth, Brisbane, Darwin and finishing up in Mandurah.
She was 78 at the time and he was 80 when they set out - sleeping on verandahs, in sheds and under bushes.
But that's not all that he has done in his pursuit of helping the homeless.
Mr Lambert also founded non-profit volunteer group Peel Connect, which conducts night patrols helping people sleeping rough on local streets by providing care packages.
Reg was visiting people on the streets of Mandurah until late last year before he began to develop dizzy spells.
Falling several times and being admitted to Peel Health Campus three times, Reg is now unable to live independently and requires a bed in an aged care facility.
With his care expected to cost at a minimum $10,000, PeelConnect has started a GoFundMe to help raise the funds.
Read more about Reg:
PeelConnect secretary Jacques Boonzaaier said Reg deserved support after all he had done for the homeless community.
"Reg has given everything, literally, to those in need, who are troubled, those left out in the cold," she said
"I hope to at least give Reg a decent place to live out his last years, months, weeks or days with decent care and comfort.
"Reg certainly deserves this after all that he has done for others."
The Mandurah Mail is urging the Peel community to support Reg. Visit the GoFundMe to donate.
