Top musicians, comedians, politicians and media figures take to streets of Glasgow and Edinburgh to sell The Big Issue as part of INSP #VendorWeek Big Sell
Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy, members of Chvrches, Twin Atlantic, The View, Twilight Sad and Mogwai, and s1jobs Managing Director Ewan Stark, will be among the high-profile guest vendors joining the #VendorWeek Big Sell event to support INSP (International Network of Street Papers).
During #VendorWeek (2-8 February), this crop of top public figures will each give up an hour of their time to sell The Big Issue in Glasgow and Edinburgh, mentored by real Big Issue vendors.
They will be joined by comedians Robert Florence and Iain Connell of Burnistoun fame and by top Glasgow stand up Janey Godley – plus no fewer than 11 Members of the Scottish Parliament.
The event aims to boost Big Issue sales at a traditionally quiet time of year, raise awareness of issues around homelessness and also raise money for INSP.
Each guest vendor will also be sponsored, raising money for INSP’s
poverty-reduction work around the world. You can sponsor the team here.
The Scottish guest vendor event is part of a UK-wide series, which also features Sky TV’s Kay Burley, Blue and Strictly Come Dancing star Simon Webbe, controversial MP George Galloway, former Home Secretary David Blunkett, editor of The Spectator magazine Fraser Nelson, and RAF veteran and NHS campaigner Harry Leslie Smith.
Chvrches singer Lauren Mayberry said: “As a long time supporter of the work of The Big Issue, I am honoured to be supporting them and INSP during #VendorWeek 2015. Schemes like these empower people dealing with unemployment and homelessness to help themselves and change their circumstances, and I hope we can raise a lot of money to help continue this important work.”
Twilight Sad frontman James Graham said: “I can’t remember a time where The Big Issue hasn’t been around, and to me, that means it is consistently helpful and successful in getting people back on the road to full time employment.
“I feel privileged to have been asked to take part and I’m looking forward to the experience and spreading the word. An hour out of my day is the least I can do and £2.50 out of your pocket isn’t that much for a good read with the added bonus of knowing you are really helping someone.”
INSP Chief Executive Maree Aldam said: “The #VendorWeek Big Sell does more than just raise money – it also gives our guest vendors an amazing opportunity to work with street paper sellers and understand the challenges they face.
“INSP is delighted to see such great support in Scotland. #VendorWeek is an amazing opportunity for us to celebrate the 14,000 people who sell street papers worldwide. Street papers offer homeless, unemployed and vulnerable people a means to work their way out of poverty.
“All the money raised from the #VendorWeek Big Sell will go to help INSP’s work supporting these innovative projects. Everyone can join in the #VendorWeek celebration by using the hashtag on social media, and by sponsoring their favourite guest vendors through virginmoneygiving.com.”
Similar guest vendor events will also be taking place in America, Greece, Switzerland, Australia and Denmark.
The #VendorWeek Big Sell is an important part of the INSP’s annual #VendorWeek celebration, which pays tribute to the 14,000 homeless people around the world who currently sell street papers as a way out of poverty.
In 35 countries, INSP’s member street papers will be celebrating #VendorWeek through a mixture of promotional activities, vendor events and social media campaigns.
For more information, please contact:
Laura Dunlop, Communications Manager, INSP
l.dunlop@street-papers.org / 0141 302 6554 / 07812179206