Politicians, celebrities and business people support the Big Sell

From the February 2-7 2015, The Big Issue in the North is taking part in the #VendorWeek Big Sell, an international event organised by INSP (International Network of Street Papers). There will be a host of politicians, celebrities and business people from across our region selling the magazine alongside regular vendors this week – see a full list below.

Guest sellers give up an hour of their day and try their hand at selling their local street paper in a bid to challenge perceptions of homelessness and poverty, as well as raising money to support INSP and helping Big Issue in the North vendors boost their sales.

Fay Selvan, chair of The Big Issue in the North and INSP, said: “We’re delighted that so many people have shown their support to The Big Issue in the North and its vendors by getting involved with the Big Sell.

“Spending an hour with a vendor will give people a real insight into how it feels to sell The Big Issue in the North. Alongside this we hope it will keep the needs of people selling the magazine in the public eye and boost sales for vendors at a traditionally quiet time of year.

“Once the hustle and bustle of Christmas settles down and the January sales come to an end our towns and cities become quiet and, for our vendors, can be lonely places. Although the sales and crowds are gone, they are still working hard to earn an income – selling The Big Issue in the North magazine.”

The money ‘guest sellers’ make while selling The Big Issue in the North will go to the vendor whom they sell alongside.

Many Guest Sellers have a Virgin Money Giving sponsorship page where people can donate to pledge their support to INSP which supports street papers around the world to start up, grow and develop so that they can provide homeless and unemployed people with a way to earn an income and improve their lives.

INSP Chief Executive Maree Aldam added: “#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.”

The list of ‘guest sellers’ includes:

Greater Manchester
3/2/15 10am: Ian Munro – Group Chief Executive New Charter Housing Trust Group, Victoria Station, Manchester

3/2/15:4pm Bishop David Walker – Bishop of Manchester Patisserie Valerie, Deansgate
4/2/15 11am: Allan Beswick – Radio broadcaster, King St, Manchester
4/2/15 12.30pm: Dave Power – Chief Executive City South Housing Association, Philpotts, Brazennose St, Manchester

4/2/15: 2pm Mike Burrows – Managing Director Greater Manchester Academic Health Science Network, Selfridges , Manchester

4/2/15:3pm David Herne – Director of Public Health for Salford: at M&S, Salford Civic Centre
5/2/15: 2pm Matthew Gardiner – Chief Executive Trafford Housing Trust, Next, Altrincham

Liverpool
4/2/15 10am:Dan Haggis – Drummer in The Wombats. Liverpool Central Station
4/2/15 1pm: Keith Mullin – Lead guitarist in The Farm, Liverpool Central Station
4/2/15 3pm: Cllr Ann O’Byrne – Assistant Mayor of Liverpool, Marks & Spencer Church Street, Liverpool
6/2/15 12pm: Maria Eagle MP, BHS, Liverpool
6/2/15 2pm: Jane Kennedy – Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside, near HSBC 1-3 Allerton Road

West Yorkshire
4/2/15 9.30am: Mark Burns-Williamson – Police and Crime Commissioner for West Yorkshire, House of Fraser Briggate
6/2/15 12pm: Hilary Benn MP , M&S Leeds
6/2/15 1pm: Stuart Andrew MP, Morrisons Horsforth
7/2/15 time tbc: Harry Leslie Smith – writer and political commentator, Bradford Interchange
7/2/15 2pm: George Galloway MP, TBC

South Yorkshire
2/2/15 2pm: Ian McMillan – Poet, Orchard Square, Sheffield
6/2/15 10.30am: Alan Billings – Police and Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire Marks & Spencer, Barnsley
2/2/15 11.30am: Tony Stacey – Chief Executive South Yorkshire Housing Association, Sheffield Cathedral
6/2/15 3pm: David Blunkett MP, Sheffield Town Hall
6/2/15 1pm: Paul Blomfield MP, Orchard Square

For more information follow us on Twitter and Facebook.