Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
News

A vendor who saved a moped rider’s life is trekking 1,650 miles for charity

Garry Buchan is hoping to raise £2,000 by walking from Land’s End to John O’Groats this summer

Garry Buchan

Credit: Rebecca Bernstein

Big Issue vendor Garry Buchan has already attracted attention for his selfless deeds this year after leaping to the aid of a stricken moped rider in April.

Now, the Bristol vendor is hoping to walk an incredible 1,650 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats this summer to raise £2,000 for The Big Issue Foundation, our charitable arm.

He has already proven his trekking prowess by conquering the West Highland Way and the Great Glen in his native Scotland in 2016 in aid of charity Help for Heroes. He then went on to cover 190 miles last year to raise £495 for The Big Issue Foundation. But he’s now set himself the ambitious target of taking on five times that distance for his latest adventure, and will be setting off on August 1.

“It’s about letting people know that there’s a big problem with social exclusion and poverty and, even though I’m homeless myself, I just want to make a small difference,” said Garry, who was forced to sleep rough after he lost his job as a foreman of construction sites in Aberdeenshire. “I know that £2,000 isn’t a huge amount of money but the money I can raise for the Big Issue Foundation helps give people the chance to try and better their lives.”

Sponsor Garry for his challenge here.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Image: Rebecca Bernstein

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Do you know how Big Issue 'really' works?

Watch this simple explanation.

Recommended for you

View all
Why Big Issue vendors are giving away free books: 'Reading is the world'
Big Issue vendor Andre Rostant
Reader offer

Why Big Issue vendors are giving away free books: 'Reading is the world'

‘No one experiencing homelessness should feel locked out of our democracy’
a polling station sign
Politics

‘No one experiencing homelessness should feel locked out of our democracy’

How World Cup 2026 host cities are offering solutions to homelessness and the housing crisis
AT&T Stadium in Arlington is home of the Dallas Cowboys and will host World Cup 2026 fixtures
World Cup

How World Cup 2026 host cities are offering solutions to homelessness and the housing crisis

What's going on with the Timms Review of PIP? Here's how to have your say
stephen timms
Benefits

What's going on with the Timms Review of PIP? Here's how to have your say