The inspiration behind Galahad Jones came, in part, from a trip to London. Arriving at Paddington station one day and using the ladies toilets, I was struck by how almost invisible two cleaning ladies seemed to be to the hundreds of people who bustled in and out using the immaculate facilities they were working so hard to keep clean.

 

Whilst working nightshifts at ITN in London, directing the ITV Morning News, I became friendly with the overnight cleaning staff. I spoke a lot with one lady in particular. She had emigrated from Africa, she had a disabled son. Her best friend had died suddenly, so she had adopted her late friend’s child. She worked all night and did two other jobs during the day to try and feed and clothe her family. She was lucky if she managed to get 2 hours sleep a night.

 

Daily I pass people living rough on the street, more and more people are struggling with the cost of living, and the numbers of homeless people are swelling by the day. They all look so sad and so lost, the forgotten souls. Having spent one Christmas working for Crisis Homeless Shelters in London, it became clear to me that circumstances and situations that can befall any of us at any time, can lead to a life on the streets; illness; bereavement; breakdown in relationships; job losses; in this uncertain world it could happen to any of us, and yet, as easy as it is to fall foul of the system, and become one of the forgotten, invisible souls of society, how on earth do you find your way back?

 

I wanted to make this film to celebrate two such characters, Galahad and Mitch, homeless army veterans, both struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after serving in the military, like so many others. I wanted to highlight their innate nobility and spirit, just because they, like so many others, have fallen on hard times, it in no way diminishes their integrity, or makes their lives any less valuable. There are far too many like them, and there will be more in the current political and economic climate. I hope this film helps people to remember them, and make all those struggling and suffering like Galahad and Mitch less invisible, and less forgotten.