A couple of years ago Rushden Lions were approached by a local man who was suffering from severe depression and who was a compulsive hoarder. The gentleman asked if, as he had no money, was receiving treatment for his problem, and wanted his life back would the Lions pay for a skip for him if he could get friends to help him clear his house. Naturally Rushden Lions agreed.
Nothing was heard for 18 months or so when suddenly he got back in touch saying that he was on new medication, was feeling much better and did our offer still stand. Again the Lions agreed. A couple of weeks later Lion President Geoff Hollis was contacted by a researcher for the BBC who said that they were doing another series on compulsive hoarders as a follow up to “Britain’s Biggest Hoarder” and was the Lions offer still open. Yet again the Lions agreed.
Come the big day the TV cameras arrived together with a professional “hoarder helper” from “Clouds End” – a charity dedicated to helping people with hoarding disorder. Lion President Geoff, his wife Lion Marion, friends and the professional “hoarder helper” were duly interviewed and filmed clearing the house.
Lion Geoff said:- “It would be impossible to fully describe the extent of his hoarding, but the fact that he could not get into his kitchen and was having to sleep in a chair as he could not get to his bed gives everyone some idea.. As an example of his hoarding he possessed no fewer than 15 fish tanks and 11 washing machines. By the end of the first day just one room had been cleared and a 17 yard skip filled.”
The programme will be going out on BBC sometime next year and for more information about “Clouds End” please visit www.cloudsend.org.uk