A tight-knit group of Street Cat Bob enthusiasts have joined forces to raise more than £430 and counting to help The Big Issue keep supporting vendors while they’re temporarily unable to sell on the streets.
Hailing from all over the UK, the group are megafans of James Bowen and his companion Bob the cat. The pair’s remarkable tale of homelessness and recovery from addiction is one of The Big Issue’s biggest success stories – with the duo going from selling the magazine to capturing the imagination of the nation with a series of bestselling books and even a feature film.
A Facebook page for ‘Bobites’ has attracted more than 3,500 members, some of whom branched off to take part in the 2.6 Challenge designed to raise money for charity. The initiative was launched in light of the London Marathon’s cancellation, encouraging Brits to do any challenge linked to the numbers 2.6 or 26 and direct donations to a charity of their choosing.
Nicola Cookson, a civil servant in Killingworth, North Tyneside, took part in the fundraiser. She told The Big Issue: “For anybody reading the book, it just changes your whole attitude. Whether that’s about homelessness, addiction and even The Big Issue. I didn’t know much about The Big Issue until I read the book.”
Team Bobites across the world completed their #TwoPointSixChallenge on Sunday to raise money for @TBIF . Each person either ran or walked 2.6 miles, cycled for 2.6 or 26 miles, jumped 26 times, Face-timed 26 minutes or kissed 26 times! https://t.co/RRbRqWRehM pic.twitter.com/PCnLZNV7SM
— Emma Bobite F (@Emmancats) April 28, 2020
Bobites have a history of doing their bit to support The Big Issue, whether through sleep-outs or volunteering for other fundraising events.