Rough sleeper lends shoes to diner 'in need'
A diner, who was turned away from a restaurant for wearing sandals, says he wants to take a homeless man for a meal as thanks for lending him his shoes.
Akbar Badshah, from Bradford, was planning to celebrate his wife Rozmin's birthday and hoped to break his Ramadan fast at Fazenda's in Manchester.
He said staff were "very apologetic" when they said the restaurant policy meant he could not enter in sandals.
On hearing Mr Badshah's situation, a homeless man lent him his hiking boots.
Mr Badshah told BBC Radio 5 live: "The [restaurant staff] said, 'unfortunately we have to turn you away - do you have any spare shoes?'
"I said, 'I don't, I've driven an hour to get here, I'm starving, I've not eaten all day.'"
He and his wife - who had previously suggested her husband should wear shoes - left the restaurant and later struck up a conversation with John, a homeless man who had just received a new pair of boots from an outreach shelter.
"We had a little chat and I just asked John, 'What shoe size are you?'
"He said, 'I'm a 14,' and I said, 'I'm a size 9, I'm in a bit of predicament... can I borrow your shoes?'
"He goes, 'Yes certainly, I'll be happy to lend you my shoes.'"
Good Karma
Mr Badshah and his wife were able to enjoy their meal as planned, then returned the boots to John, who initially refused any money.
"He said, 'I just want to help another human being out.'
"On the third attempt, I finally put a £10 note in his hand and he accepted it," Mr Badshah said.
To top it off, another man who overheard the conversation, then gave John a £50 note.
Mr Badshah said he hoped to meet John later and take him out for a meal at Fazenda.
