IT takes just a single act of kindness to make a life-changing difference - as two warm-hearted people have discovered.

A good deed kicked off by Mossley motorbike recovery man Dez Richardson is helping to get a homeless man back on his feet after 20 years of being on the streets and in and out of hostels.

Dez was inspired to act when Remembrance tributes to those who sacrificed their lives struck a chord. Having been moved by the plight of the homeless, he decided to find a willing volunteer among them to help him out for the day.

Ashton-based homeless charity, We Shall Overcome, suggested 50-year-old Mark Saxon, who spends his days sheltering where he can in and around Ashton and his nights either camping out or being charged to sofa surf.

Dez was more than happy to take Mark under his wing for the day and joined him as he provided breakdown support with Canine Motorcyle Recovery to the biking community’s “Ring of Respect” ride on the M60 on Remembrance Sunday.

Dez says he was bowled over by Mark’s enthusiasm and eagerness to help and posted his sentiments on Facebook, setting him up with a mobile phone and appealing for someone to give him a job.

A few days later, the head chef at the Kingfisher pub in Greenfield, Wes Hazoume-Rodericks, did just that and offered him a full-time position as a kitchen porter.

Mark is now not only on a life-changing path, he is also able to secure accommodation and make a living for himself once more.

“When I met Mark I was struck by how polite, well mannered and what a genuinely lovely guy he was,” said Dez, who is well-known for lending a hand where he can in and around Saddleworth.

“I just wanted to do something good to help someone in a tight scrape and Mark was perfect.

“I found him huddled under a poncho in the rain and he was more than happy to spend the day with me helping out.

“He really impressed me with his listening, quick learning and basic willingness to crack on despite his unfortunate situation. He’d been given some money a couple of days earlier and he made the choice to go and buy some cheap jeans from Asda and pay someone to let him stay with them overnight so he had washing facilities so he could be clean and presentable to come out on the truck with me.

“I could only afford to pay him £50 but after all his help the bikers on the ride chipped in and raised £65 and I raised £80 for him through a Facebook group.

“The main thing was finding someone to take him on and understand his homeless situation.

“It’s awesome he’s been offered a full time job and I’ve let him use my address for correspondence so he can qualify for resettlement funding and grants to help him find a little bedsit or something. I’m so pleased for him.”

Wes spotted Dez’s plea on Facebook and spoke to his manager straight away about offering him a job.

“Everyone deserves a second chance,” Wes told us.

“If I was in that unfortunate situation I’d like someone to help me out.

“I like to help people out if I can and when I read about Mark I just wanted to do something, especially at this time of year when its cold and Christmas is coming up.

“I just got on the phone to Mark and offered him a job. He was so lovely and down-to-earth and he was almost crying. He almost had me crying! Hopefully we’ll get everything in place in the next couple of weeks.”

Mark - who says he became homeless after splitting with a partner and his life spiralled out of control - is now trying to get ID and paperwork in order so he can take up the Kingfisher pub’s kind offer.

“Dez is brilliant,” said Mark.

“He’s been an absolute diamond and it was great spending the day with him.

“I would love a job to get myself sorted out. I’m just trying to sort everything out now so it can happen and I can’t thank the Kingfisher enough for this opportunity.

“I can see a bit of light now, there is some hope. It would be nice to get myself back on my feet and I’m so grateful to everyone who’s been helping me.”

Pauline Town, from WSO, is helping Mark to secure the official documents he needs - along with umbrella advocacy and support charity, Infinity Initiatives CIC.

Because of his job offer they have found him accommodation in Mossley and raised the money for the deposit.

“Once we get Mark moved in we will have got over a hundred people into accommodation over the past three years but this one really matters to me as Mark is such a lovely, lovely man,” said Pauline.

Gemma Clayton, from Infinity Initiatives, said: “At Infinity we work with so many different people with multiple and complex needs, we always strive to see the good and potential in everyone who comes through our door and outcomes like this make it all worthwhile.

“We will do everything we can to assist Mark moving forward towards a stable and wonderful future and we wish him every possible success.”