It’s National Vendor Week, our annual opportunity to shine a light on Big Issue vendors and other street paper sellers around the world working hard in all weathers to lift themselves out of poverty. Here’s how The Big Issue has touched the lives of vendors and ex-vendors in recent times
Words: Liam Geraghty
When George Anderson was struck down with pneumonia, his BBC ‘family’ jumped into action
Long-time Big Issue vendor George Anderson has become a much-loved part of the community at the BBC’s Broadcasting House in London but he couldn’t believe what happened when he was forced off his pitch. Anderson was hospitalised between Christmas and New Year with pneumonia, leaving the pitch where he has sold the magazine to small-screen stars for nine years.
Leila Mannish, a director on the BBC News channel and Newsnight, found out what had happened to George and started an online crowd-funder to help him cover his hostel rent fees while he recovers and cannot earn a living.
Mannish even enlisted the help of BBC director general Tim Davie to mobilise staff in London and so far, the GoFundMe campaign has raised £9,573 at the time of writing, with big name TV talent such as Victoria Derbyshire chipping in.
Anderson said the gesture made him “feel more connected and part of the BBC family”.
“I’m absolutely delighted with that because I’ve always been self-employed, I’ve never claimed any benefits, including housing benefit, so I was always very dependent on Big Issue sales to pay the rent in the hostel where I am,” said Anderson, who is using his time off his pitch to work on his side hustle in biomedical research.
“Not being able to work, I was thinking, ‘Bloody hell’. If you don’t pay your rent here, that’s you out. So it takes pressure off.”
Mannish told The Big Issue she feared that Anderson would rush back to work in freezing temperatures.
“Even people who have retired or have left the BBC have been given the GoFundMe link and donated so he has touched not only the hearts of the staff that work there on a daily basis but former members of the BBC who really love him,” said Mannish.
“He’s just one of those people who’s always upbeat and smiling. He’s got a positive spin on everything.”
gofundme.com/f/rr8dv-donate-to-help-george
Sharon Clint spent seven years homeless and selling The Big Issue but now she works for charity Groundswell using her experiences to help others
Sharon
