Generous customers have clubbed together to raise £4,000 to pay for much-loved Big Issue vendor Dean Telfer’s funeral in the wake of his death over Christmas.
Dean, 39, was one of Bristol’s most popular vendors and a “staple of the community” on Gloucester Road in the city where he sold the magazine.
Friend Doug Reid set up an online fundraiser to cover the costs of Dean’s funeral on January 5 and since then he has been inundated with tributes and donations, raising £4,277 in five days at the time of writing.
Craig Cummings said: “Rest easy now Dean, our morning chats over a six-sugar coffee will be sorely missed. It was an absolute pleasure to have met you and spent time in your company. ‘Til we me meet again old pal.”
Liz Gaskin added: “Dean’s friendly face and gentle soul will be missed by many. Great to give him a good send-off and do something meaningful in his memory.”
The money will go towards funeral costs, including a headstone, with any leftover cash going towards homeless pet charity and Big Issue Changemaker StreetVet – a favourite of Dean’s.