Craig David misses Big Issue vendors – help us support them through Covid-19

Big names continue to throw their weight behind The Big Issue as Craig David revealed just how much he is missing his local vendor Bill during the Covid-19 lockdown.

The pandemic means that vendors are temporarily off the streets for the first time in our 29-year history.

And that means that plenty of Big Issue readers are missing their vendors – not least 7 Days singer Craig who shared his thoughts in a video filmed exclusively for The Big Issue from his home.

#TheBigMissYou Some of the things I miss right now????Thank you @BigIssue for continuing to help make sure our vulnerable homeless are still cared for during this time???????????? #SupportBigIssuepic.twitter.com/riaE2iftd9

— Craig David (@CraigDavid) May 1, 2020

He told The Big Issue: “While in lockdown I thought I’d share some of the things that I miss the most. I miss my family. I miss looking into their eyes and being able to give them a big hug. I miss my friends and the quality time that we share together. I miss being able to perform.

“And I really miss seeing Bill the lovely Big Issue vendor down the street from me who always has a smile on his face and is so grateful for our little chats that we have. And at this time I miss being able to help him and all The Big Issue vendors get back on their feet now they need us now more than ever.

“That’s why I’m subscribing to The Big Issue at this time so I never miss an issue again and I can help in some way. Being able to support The Big Issue is our way of being able to keep our vulnerable homeless off the street and safe.”

You can follow Craig’s inspirational lead. Support your local vendor by subscribing to receive The Big Issue magazine directly to your door or device every week. Head to bigissue.com/subscribe for details.

For the first time ever, the magazine is available as a one-off or subscription on The Big Issue app, which is free to download from the App Store or Google Play.

There is a crisis of funding for ⁦⁦@BigIssue⁩ You can help by subscribing at https://t.co/LjuJ2qF7CJ. Please subscribe and share this message ⁦@PauldMcNamee⁩ pic.twitter.com/rsUWwYMXwv

— Ricky Ross (@rickyaross) April 10, 2020

And you can also pick up a copy in stores with Sainsbury’s, McColl’s, Co-op, Asda and WH Smith all stocking the magazine for the first time. As ever, 50 per cent of the proceeds will go straight to Big Issue vendors.

Craig is not the only big name to support The Big Issue at this time.

Armando Iannucci was so keen to help that he penned an incredible exclusive piece about comedy in these uncertain times. You can read that here.

Please support if you can. https://t.co/oPORGC5P9i

— Romesh Ranganathan (@RomeshRanga) April 27, 2020

Elsewhere, Romesh Ranganathan, who stars in this week’s magazine in conversation with fellow comic Rob Beckett, and David Baddiel have shared their support online.

Deacon Blue’s Ricky Ross urged his followers to subscribe and told them how it was “important that The Big Issue survives” while telly chef royalty Ainsley Harriott said: “We miss you too Big Issue vendors. Stay safe and well”.

If anyone can help @BigIssue it’d be greatly appreciated. They’re trying to get as many subscriptions as possible to continue to help the homeless vendors over the next few months https://t.co/VeqzuEKOze ???????????????????? pic.twitter.com/lucD9GijQJ

— Michael Stewart (@mstewart_23) April 16, 2020

There has been support from the football world too. Former Manchester United star and Scottish football pundit Michael Stewart asked followers to subscribe to the “wonderful magazine” while 2019 Big Issue Changemaker Neville Southall also gave us his support.

And from the world of politics, Heywood MP Liz McInnes echoed our plea to subscribe, counting the magazine as a “reason to be cheerful”.