Homeless man on Trongate who froze to death named as Matthew Bloomer

The man who was found dead outside a Glasgow department store has been named as “Celtic fanatic” and “loving uncle and dad” Matthew Bloomer in an online fundraiser set up by his brother.

Police and paramedics were called to TJ Hughes on Trongate early on Tuesday morning where they found the 28-year-old slumped outside the shop.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Now, his brother, Paolo, has managed to raise over £1,200 to defy Glasgow City Council and give Matthew “a dignified send off.”

Paolo, 30, who lives in Manchester, explained: “Glasgow Council policy states my brother will receive an undignified state funeral that no family can attend - if we can’t find the funding to bring him home to Aberdeen and give him a decent send off.

“My brother was found by police after spending the night outside in freezing conditions.”

Describing Matthew as a person, Paolo said: “[He] was an outgoing, very social lad. A loving uncle to all his many nieces and nephews, who loved him so much, and he is survived by his two children.

“The relationship with the mother of his children had broken down but she is truly heartbroken.

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“Matthew had struggled with alcohol addiction and mental health issues, which led to him spending long periods sleeping rough on the streets.

“My brother Matthew had recently been making an effort to get his life back on the straight and narrow. He stayed in regular contact with my parents and gave them regular updates on his attendances at vigils for the homeless and his progress with mental health and alcohol addiction programmes to make a go of things in his birth city of Glasgow.

“He was a Celtic fanatic and loved to attend the games as a child with eldest brother.

READ MORE: Glasgow Starbucks causes mass outrage after refusing to serve homeless man

“[He] was popular among friends who knew him for a mischievous sense of humour, his love of football, and devotion to his children and niece.

“He was described as a ‘lovable rogue’ by friends who knew he had a good heart. He deserved the chance of rehabilitation just as much as everyone else.”

A Glasgow City Council spokesperson described the death as “tragic” and added that a police investigation is currently on-going.

The spokesperson said: “It would be inappropriate to comment on the cause of death until a post-mortem has been concluded.

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“Our city centre street team works with rough sleepers every night to get them into support services, including to the winter shelter.

“The reasons for homelessness can be complex and moving on from a chaotic lifestyle can be very difficult.

“When a person dies without means in Glasgow and there is nobody to pay for the funeral, a basic service will be provided with appropriate respect and dignity.”

Just a day after Matthew’s death, caring Glaswegians voiced their concerns on homelessness after the vacant BHS building on the corner of streets Renfield and Sauchiehall was spray-painted with the terms ‘No more homeless deaths’ and ‘Let the people in’.

To donate to the cause, click here.