Bournemouth Big Issue vendor coordinator takes part in the Big London Night Walk

Bill, a Big Issue vendor coordinator from Bournemouth is heading to London to take part in The Big London Night Walk to support his fellow Big Issue vendors across the country.

In December we shared Bill’s story, a Big Issue vendor coordinator from Bournemouth. Bill was sleeping rough following a nervous breakdown, through a lot of perseverance and our famous never-give-up attitude, and his determination and hard work, Bill not only moved into a flat, which he shares with his beloved dog Chloe, but also overcame a disease and continued with education.

Today Bill is securely housed in Boscombe and on the community association committee putting together a neighbourhood plan for Boscombe. At the weekends he works as a Big Issue vendor coordinator. Read Bill’s story here.

We ask Bill to give us an update since Christmas and to tell us why he is coming to London to take up the challenge again to walk over 20km to support his fellow Big Issue vendors.

“I have been asked to give an update to my story since I last wrote; Christmas has come and gone which proved to be very busy and also great fun. On Christmas day I cooked dinner for myself and five friends which was a great success although a long day for me starting to peel potatoes at 7:30am in the morning and my last guests leaving in the early hours of Boxing Day.

In January I took part in 2 workshops at Bournemouth University with Liam from The Big Issue Foundation and another vendor, and will be doing another 2 in February.

This March the 11th, I will be joining over 250 people taking part in The Big Issue Foundation’s Big London Night Walk. I am currently raising my £200 sponsorship for this event. This will be my second year of taking part and apart from the great time and seeing the sights of central London lit up at night it gives me a chance to do something for The Big Issue Foundation as a thank you for all the help they have given me over the past 3 years or so.  After the walk this year I will not be returning directly to Bournemouth but heading off to Luton to spend the remainder of the week end with my daughter and granddaughter who I have only met once before and that was at my mother’s funeral.

That’s my year so far. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who have sponsored me so far it means a great deal.”

You can support Bill by sponsoring him here: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/BigIssueFoundationBillWebb.
Alternatively you can Text donate by texting:  WEBB11 £5 to 70070.

Oxford’s Big Issue sellers Sean and Graham will also be joining Bill in the walk this year.