The world is full of unsung heroes. People that live their lives trying to help others in any way they can without any thought of recognition or reward. Gareth Seward is one such man. When asked if there were any rules he tried to live by, Gareth replied: “Don’t cause harm, injury or loss. I’m me, you’re you, why can’t we just live and let live?”
Born and raised in Cardiff, professional boxing has been Gareth’s life for a long time. From competing in his teens to coaching the sport in his twenties, Gareth has recently taken early retirement due to the closure of his gym. He now works as a facility technician at Cardiff and Vale College and spends his free time working on projects to help local causes.
Dressed in tracksuit bottoms and a black t-shirt and fleece, the 35-year-old is entirely unassuming about the role he plays in trying to help those worse off than him. “I just like to think that if I was in a position as you see some in; there would be someone who would be willing to help me,” he explains.
Helping the common man
Early retirement has allowed Gareth more opportunities to help those in need. Of his own volition he spends his spare time tackling subjects such as finance and law which he then condenses into free presentations to better explain wordy concepts to everyday folk: “I don’t charge for them because I believe information should be free… it’s just information that I try to decipher into English so that people like me, the common man, can understand it.”
At these presentations collection buckets are made available to support local causes. But it was a news story last year that convinced Gareth he needed to contribute in a more substantial way: “I saw an article last Christmas that was about the Cardiff Nightshelter being in dire straits because of council cuts and it angers me because there is no need for anyone to be in poverty or to be homeless.”
“I’m a nobody, I’m just one man, I know I can’t change the world”
Gareth has done a number of events over the years to raise money, the most recent being the Show for the Shelter. The show, held at The Gate Arts Centre, featured musical acts, dramatisations and spoken word pieces by artists Gareth knows personally. He organised the event and everyone gave their time for free so that all of the proceeds went to the Cardiff Nightshelter, which is run by The Wallich Charity.
Gareth smiles and says he found the experience to be the most fulfilling feeling he’s ever had.“I’m a nobody, I’m just one man, I know I can’t change the world but I just like to do what I can within my power to help people.”
Hating the world
Part of what drives Gareth is his anger at the worlds injustice. He passionately believes that society has been conditioned to ignore individuals and small causes.
“This is going to sound terrible but, I hate the world,” laughs Gareth. He sits forward and explains how it’s become fashionable to donate to certain larger charities such as Help the Heroes and Children in Need. He insists that these charities shouldn’t even exist because care should be being provided as standard.
Despite his anger, Gareth never ceases to put his point across politely and calmly. He believes firmly that by donating to local charities you can see where your money is going and know that it’s making the world of difference to someone, even if all that means is that they have a bed or hot meal for just one night.
In the video below Gareth explains some of the difficulties he had in persuading people to support the Show for the Shelter.