I’ve been working in central Bristol these last few months, and unfortunately for my wallet, the office is less than five minutes’ stroll from the wonders of Fopp. As my CD collection has inexorably grown over the months, I’ve come to know something of the chap who flogs The Big Issue outside the Lord Mayor’s Chapel, which is right next door to Fopp.
Most days we have a chat, and we often chin-wag for some time if the weather allows. He’s a cheery fella, and I’ve learned that he does a lot for the homeless community in Bristol. He and a mate have plans for later this summer; they are going to walk about 1100 miles (that’s 2.2 Proclaimers) from Lands End to John O’Groats. No mean feat. I asked Garry what the funds raised would pay for, he thought a few moments, and said, “Well, the last time we did a walk (this is the Big One – they’ve done two shorter walks before) we raised enough to pay for about 65 Birth Certificates.”.
It took a few seconds for the penny to drop. This huge effort is designed to pay, amongst other things, for identity papers for his homeless compadres in Bristol. This will ease people’s battles with the serpentine depths of Austerity Britain’s bureaucracy, and in Garry’s own case, was one of the ways in which he re-established his own legal identity after devastating set-backs that would have floored me. This guy knows the score; he’s been there and knows how to help himself, and others, to climb back out.
In these days when we are invited to loll back on the soaf and watch TV where someone pitches for unimaginable amounts of investment so that they can sell quinoa sandwiches with an artisan twist, it’s inspiring to meet someone who spends their days doing real, practical, hard slog things to better themselves and their peers in humble yet life-changing ways.
So apart from singing his praises here, I’d like to invite you to pitch in a few quid and raise their fundraising total a little closer to (or even beyond!) the target they’ve set themselves.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/garry-buchan-2018-landsend-johnogroats
Moose the Mooche says
Bumpity Bump….
Moose the Mooche says
Here’s a beavers video…
SteveT says
Happy to oblige – have massive respect for Big Issue sellers.
Vulpes Vulpes says
Come on you tightwads, stump up.
Baron Harkonnen says
I’m in, I met the fella when I was in Bristol visiting my son and taking in a Ryley Walker concert on that boat on the river.
Baron Harkonnen says
How do you donate Foxie? It asks for a PW but PW for what?
Vulpes Vulpes says
Don’t you just provide a password (i.e. create a new account at JustGiving) and follow through from there? I’ve used the site lots of times, and I can’t remember how it worked the first time!
Baron Harkonnen says
Thanks Foxie.
Ahh_Bisto says
Humbled. Inspired. Donated.
Moose the Mooche says
“Taught thighs”? Well mine have learned a few things…
fentonsteve says
There used to be a lovely Big Issue seller outside John Lewis in Cambridge, a cheerful ginger chap called Steve. He loved music and I’d often give him a tape and AAs for his Walkman as I waited for the bus home from work. Every August he would ride his bike to Edinburgh to sell Big Issue at the Festival.
I got married in early September, and I took my mum to John Lewis to see what we were going to spend our vouchers on.
As we stepped off the bus, I spotted him. “Hello Steve, how was Edinburgh? Come on, I’ll get you a cuppa”.
I could read my mum’s face. As if marrying a foreigner wasn’t bad enough, I now socialised with vagrants – and her Daily Mail told her they’re all drug addicts.
Little victories, and all that.
Moose the Mooche says
The Fanta Fellowship overrides everything.
*special handshake*
Moose the Mooche says
Tiggerlion says
Moose the Mooche says
Bumpers are def.
Sitheref2409 says
He has some of my cash.
This is a model that could work so, so well over here in the USA, as I said in my comments.
Moose the Mooche says
Here is a funky old organ.
er…
Ahh_Bisto says
It’s 9:54 and it’s about this time that things go bump in the night
https://youtu.be/4TVnpiszEvg
Moose the Mooche says
Pull up to the ⬆️⬆️⬆️
Sitheref2409 says
Donation from USA
Vulpes Vulpes says
Bank Holiday Weekend. Still sleeping in a tent pitched somewhere in the city centre. Few pedestrians as everyone runs to the hills for three days. Another day in paradise, and another day closer to the off for that big walk. Something to look forward to later in the summer. Be good to get a little extra encouragement at this point, all the same.
Many, many thanks to all who have chipped in so far. Garry is in good spirits ( as usual) and sends his thanks. More to come, I tell him. My fingers are crossed.
Junglejim says
What a top man.
Happy to chip in a few sovs for Garry.
Please pass on very best of luck to him when you next see him, Foxy.
Vulpes Vulpes says
Will do! Ta!
Ahh_Bisto says
Just thought I’d bump this with a mention that I’ve received an email today notifying me that the Just Giving Awards 2018 have opened for nominations so those of you who have donated to Garry now have an opportunity to nominate him!