Big Issue vendor returns from stroke after support from prime minister and Celebrity Traitors star

A Big Issue vendor who was forced off his pitch after suffering two strokes has returned to selling the magazine following support from prime minister Andy Burnham and Celebrity Traitors star Julie Hesmondhalgh

Colin, a longstanding vendor who sells between Manchester Metropolitan University building Number 70 and arts centre HOME in Manchester, was hospitalised in August.

But two months later, the 59-year-old has made an amazing recovery – both his mobility and speech are much-improved, and he has, he is happy to say, returned to work.

“I’m a lot better,” he said. “I couldn’t wait to see my customers. People are coming up to me and saying, ‘Where have you been?’”

Colin’s customers have been vital to him during his treatment and recovery. Recent Celebrity Traitors star Hesmondhalgh has also pitched in.

After Colin was forced off his pitch, staff at HOME arts centre gathered get-well-soon cards and birthday cards from his regular customers.

They also started a crowdfunding campaign to pay for a care package for Colin which saw Hesmondhalgh contribute a small top-up.

The time off his pitch also left Colin behind on his bills. He received support from 500 Acts of Kindness. The grassroots initiative, started in 2019 by Hesmondhalgh and Chris Malvern, sees a community of over 500 people give at least £1 per week.

 “She’s brilliant,” Colin said.

Read more:

• Andy Burnham: ‘It’s so hard when people just walk past’
• Andy Burnham visits Big Issue-backed homelessness charity in bid to end rough sleeping
• Self Esteem and Julie Hesmondhalgh on self-doubt, sisterhood and fighting back in dark times

And, courtesy of Big Issue, Colin even received a video message from his most famous regular: Andy Burnham.

The then-Greater Manchester mayor joined Colin on his pitch back in 2023 after featuring on the cover of the Big Issue magazine.

Big Issue interviewed Burnham again as he prepared to host a rough sleeping summit at 10 Downing Street last month where we informed him of Colin’s condition.

The prime minister sent Colin a message: “Col, thinking about you. Missing you as well. We don’t get our chats anymore in the way that we used to, but there’s a lot of affection for you in Manchester, I think you know that, so a lot of people will be wishing you well. All the best, mate.”

“That was brilliant,” Colin said. “I’d like to see him soon. I think he’s a nice prime minister, he’s doing really well so far. I definitely reckon he’s going to change homelessness. We’ll wait and see!”

It’s not just famous faces who rallied to Colin’s aid while he was recovering.

“People came round every day,” he said. One customer, Glenn, gave him £150 for groceries and, with the support of other customers, bought him a new washing machine.

“If sales are tough, I take it day by day,” he said recently for this year’s Big Issue North calendar, in which he features in September – his birthday month – alongside vendors from around the world.

“You have your good days and bad days. But I enjoy meeting people and meet a lot of good people. Sarah, Glenn and Edith, for example. They have been regular customers for six years. Edith is a little pug! I love them. They are always there for me.”

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