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

Bubble's incredible story has had customers' chins dropping to the floor

Karl Lamsdale's tale of recovery from the alleged hit-and-run incident that left him with broken bones, sepsis and two heart attacks has been inspirational

Bubble Jon Hyde

Brave vendor Karl Lamsdale’s remarkable resurrection after a suspected hit-and-run has had his customers’ “chins dropping to the floor”.

The Birmingham Snow Hill station vendor, known as Bubble to his regulars, “saw the face of God” after the incident in January left him in a coma and battling back from broken bones, sepsis and two heart attacks.

https://twitter.com/LornaGavin1/status/1012369966404907009

His incredible story was featured on the cover of this week’s magazine and the vendor told The Big Issue that his customers have been stunned after reading the tale told in his own words.

“It’s been a good opportunity for people to see me in the magazine because a lot of my regulars have been asking me when I was going to be in aside from the little updates. The feedback has been brilliant,” he said.

Read Lucky to be alive: The extraordinary tale of the invincible Bubble

I’ve had a nice reaction from people who have been asking me what it has been like to sell the magazine again. Lots of my regulars lot were telling me to get on the My Pitch page.

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

“This week I’ve had staff from the train station coming out to buy the magazine and read my story. It’s been great.”

Harry Karl Bubble Lamsdale
Harry-and-Bubble-hero
Reader Harry was delighted to see vendor Bubble back on his pitch Image: Big Issue reader Jemma

Karl added: “There a few people who have said, “Where have you been?” and then they read my story and you can just see their chin drop to the floor.

“I’ve had a little bit of an upturn in sales. I have been working reduced hours until I get my strength back – but my sales are the same as when I was working before my accident.”

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
Homeless young people 'left to sleep rough' after councils failed to assess their needs
Stock image of a homeless woman
homelessness

Homeless young people 'left to sleep rough' after councils failed to assess their needs

Will a social media ban for under-16s make any difference? We must ask young people themselves
Girlguiding Advocate Ellen, aged 17
Ellen

Will a social media ban for under-16s make any difference? We must ask young people themselves

Coroners are increasingly pointing to the housing crisis in their reports – but can it save lives?
protesters hold up a placard calling for leaders to axe the bedroom tax
Homelessness

Coroners are increasingly pointing to the housing crisis in their reports – but can it save lives?

Who cares for the carers? ‘I can escape without having to worry about what's going on at home’
band practice at Kingston Carers Network
Changemakers

Who cares for the carers? ‘I can escape without having to worry about what's going on at home’