An Inspiration That Kept Me Alive
EDMUND: In 2003, I was in absolute deep shit. My parents were divorced. I quit high school prematurely in my final year. And after a turn of events I found myself wandering in the freezing streets of London.
Being in a totally different country and culture for the first time, I still bought myself the daily papers. And in spite of the bad news I kept reading about (not to mention the *ahem* nude pics I would always see on Page 3) one article stood out from the rest. And it quickly became my inspiration to strive for and create my own success, no matter my current circumstances at that time.
FAST FORWARD 6 years later: I was clearing my cupboard in my house in Johor Bahru and as I was going through my old collection and ‘memorabila’s from the past, a familiar piece of newspaper fell out of place. I unfolded it and… gosh, I was soooo sure my mom threw it away with the rest of the old stuff before!
I’m going to republish the newspaper article here; if you’re experiencing the bottom of your life right now – just as I was 6 years ago – I hope this newspaper article inspires you in many ways too, just as it did for me back then.
FROM HOMELESS ADDICT TO BANK MANAGER AT 23
This was what kept me going when I was freezing in London 6 years ago.
RAGS-TO-RICHES LAWRENCE GOES FROM DOSS TO BOSS
The Sun, Wednesday, May 14, 2003
A LAD who fled home to sleep rough has beaten a gambling addiction to become a top bank boss – aged just 23.
Lawrence Brown was 17 wen he quit A-levels and ran away to London to escape £1,500 debts he ran up by blowing £60 a week on slot-machines.
But he now earns £50,000 a year running one of Barclay’s main branches in London’s Charing Cross. He has TWO homes in the capital and his own cleaning firm. Lawrence left home in 1997, after writing his mum Dulcie James a note telling her he had gone to London to make a fresh start.
She begged on TV for him to return home to South Cerney, Glos. But, as he slept on streets and in hostels, he was too ashamed to call.
Last night he told The Sun how he hit rock bottom as he went without food for a week to pay for gambling.
“That’s when it hit home,” he said. “I realised I needed to be a responsible adult and move forward to concentrate on building up a career.”
His rags-to-riches climb from the gutter began when he landed a council flat and a shop assistant’s post at top London store Selfridges.
COURAGE
He then landed a junior job at Barclays before rising to branch manager – first in London’s Leicester Square and London’s Charing Cross.
He also runs recruitment for seven other Barclays branches. But he admits his mum was his greatest boost after he found the courage to get back in touch. He said: “I couldn’t have done it without her. She stuck by me in thick and thin.
“She’s more than a mum – she’s a friend and role model.”
Chef Dulcie, 45, who now advises parents of young addicts, said: “Lawrence wanted to be an accountant but lost his way.”
“He got in a hole financially and did not know how to face me, so ran away.
“But he has done exceptionally well and I’m very proud.”
A Barclays spokeswoman said the bank prides itself on “embracing people from all backgrounds”.
The Sun Says – Page Eight
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