A former jailbird who hit the lottery jackpot was close to tears as he experienced flashbacks when he helped a small NGO feeding homeless people at a station.
Reformed drug and gambling addict Kursat Yildirim, known as Chico to friends, made headlines for buying several supercars, luxury watches and designer clothes shortly after winning EUR 10 million (GBP 8.6 million) in the German lottery last year.
However, the 43-year-old from Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia State, also launched charity initiatives for kids suffering from cancer, financially struggling pet owners and victims of the Turkey-Syria earthquake.
Now Chico, who dates a policewoman who once fined him for speeding, joined voluntary social workers in a rough neighbourhood of nearby Bochum.
In a video posted on his social media channels on 30th November, the former crane operator can be seen cutting sausages for a hearty hotpot to support Sabine Kleemann’s small ‘Menschen ohne Bleibe’ (People With No Place To Stay) organisation.
Determined to make a headstart, a chuckling Chico asks for a plaster as he cut his finger shortly after having commenced.
When Sabine tells him that all of her activities depend on donations, Chico replies: “I’ll give you EUR 200 (GBP 172), no, let’s say EUR 300 (GBP 258) for next time.”
A visibly moved Chico then tells his fans: “Guys, everything can happen in life. No one can choose their parents. Not everyone is fortunate.”
He added: “Some people may make mistakes when they are young or have false friends.”
Chico is accompanied by his lover Candice Newgas. The 36-year-old police officer has been dating the Dortmund-based multimillionaire for some months. She reportedly ignored his messages for some time and only accepted going on a date after he hit the jackpot.
Candice, who is cutting vegetables, is being told by Chico: “You’re so busy! Haven’t you worked enough today?”
When Chico mentions that Candice joined him after her eight-hour shift with the police, the stunning redhead emphasises: “Eight hours and 42 minutes!”
Chico, who came to Germany with his Turkish parents at the age of 12, reacts by telling his followers: “Everyone should have such a woman. Being honest and decent is the main thing.”
Candice starts to smile when cheeky Chico asks: “You didn’t fall in love with me just because of the money, did you?”
She bursts out laughing, saying: “No! No!”
After the cooking, which took place in the kitchen of a church, Chico and Candice approach the numerous homeless people gathering at a subway close to Bochum station.
Chico, who is sporting one of his trademark black Nike down jackets, turns away a few times to digest the vagrants’ heart-wrenching life stories.
When suddenly an argument erupts, Candice manages to calm the situation by offering a cigarette to those involved.
When the ‘People With No Place To Stay’ team starts handing out food, Chico helps by offering bread to those in need.
The multimillionaire agreed to support the NGO for one day after its head Sabine got in touch via his ‘Ask Chico’ make-a-wish initiative.
At the end of the 15-minute video which garnered 19,000 within 24 hours, an emotional Chico hugs ‘People With No Place To Stay’ head Sabine and promises to return.
With a smile on his face, Chico tells her: “I’m so happy having been able to help out just a little bit and make people’s lives easier.
“Next time, I’ll bring baklava. No true Turkish man without baklava, you know.”
Chico, who has more than 872,000 Instagram followers and 30,000 subscribers on YouTube, eventually tells his fans: “No food, nothing to eat. That was what my life was like. Exactly like that.”
Reflecting on what he experienced that night at Bochum station, he said: “People on the street, homeless. We’ve got 2023 and there are people with no place to go.”
He added: “I’m here for an hour and I’m tired. They don’t feel a thing though, they are on drugs.”
Chico recently caused a stir by disclosing that he splashed EUR 6.7 million (GBP 5.76 million) on real estate.
Shortly after this revelation in a Q&A with fans on social media, two adjacent apartment blocks in Dortmund he owns were seriously damaged in a blaze.
Four tenants had to be hospitalised in the suspected arson attacks. The police investigation continues.
Netizens have praised Chico for helping out at the NGO in Bochum.
User ‘Joker-nq4vk’ argued: “Sad to see how few people support homeless people in our country. Many rich folks live nearby. You can suffocate in your money. Many thanks to Chico and his girlfriend.”
‘Shangtsung4280’ commented: “Supply someone with power and money to reveal their true character. Great initiative!”
‘Almircatic5428’ criticised: “It’s a shame that the government is not showing more effort to help these poor people. It could be anyone of us tomorrow.”
‘MissColazitrone’ added: “Chico and Candice are such a kindhearted couple. If all wealthy people were like that.”
