Colchester terminally ill homeless man reunited with family

The man, known as Mr Xing, will spend the final weeks of his life among the comfort of family after 18 years away from home.

The Gazette revealed in March how he was being housed in the Red Lion Hotel in Colchester High Street as efforts were ongoing to secure a permanent roof over his head.

Following tireless efforts from Refugee Action Colchester, Beacon House and St Helena Hospice, he is now back in China.

Money raised by Beacon House, in Crouch Street, will ensure he is able to receive medical support while in Asia.

A statement from Refugee Action said: “We have an update for you all in regard to this gentleman, Xing Li.

“He has now been able to return to China to be reunited with his family for the last stage of his life journey.

“The money raised by Beacon House will be used for his continuing medical needs whilst in China.

Temporary home - the Red Lion Hotel (Image: Newsquest)

“We would like to say a huge thank you to Beacon House, Colchester’s Anti-loo Roll Brigade, St Helena and everyone else that contributed to support Xing Li.”

Mr Xing was forced to work in a cannabis farm after being trafficked into the country from China in 2005.

Medics believe the three years he spent in squalor before escaping most likely contributed to his diagnosis of terminal lung cancer.

He was picked up by Refugee Action after being discharged from Colchester Hospital and left to return to the streets.

Tireless work Refugee Action director Maria Wilby (Image: Newsquest)

Speaking in March, Refugee Action director Maria Wilby said: “He is quite shy and humble. He has clearly lived a life of abuse and is in a great deal of pain.

“It is really tragic and so hard to see.”

A fundraiser has been set up by Refugee Action and Beacon House to make Mr Xing’s final days comfortable.

You can find it via bit.ly/3Fu0IAl.