69-71. Laurie, Hamish and Fergus
The absence of Big Issue vendors from the streets during the first lockdown didn’t go unnoticed by big-hearted boys Laurie Lyon, 10, Hamish Lyon, eight, and Fergus Gordon, seven, in Perthshire, who held their own mini sleep-out to raise cash for vendors. They said they got an insight into how difficult life must be for rough sleepers and the experience inspired Laurie to do even more. He fasted for 26 hours, raising hundreds of pounds. He says: “It makes me happy to know I’ve done something to help other people. It’s important for people to have a safe home and I’m really glad I can support Big Issue vendors.”72. Jacob Hill-Gowing
Before lockdown in March, Jacob Hill-Gowing had no experience of cycling on the road, and the exercise bike in his flat was used as a clothes horse. But on March 22 that changed in a big way as the 28-year-old got on his bike for The Big Issue Foundation, embarking on ‘Le Tour De Flat’.
For the next 41 days, he pedalled an astonishing 3,500 km (2,200 miles) – the full distance of the Tour De France, finishing his solo race 15 days ahead of schedule and smashing his £5,000 fundraising goal (he’s currently on £16,881 from more than 500 generous supporters).
Jacob was inspired to get seriously saddle sore by Big Issue vendor Stevie, who sells the magazine outside the building where he works for an ad agency in East London.
“I’ve been quite friendly with Stevie for the past three years,” Jacob tells us. “I always have a chat with him when I go to lunch and he always catches me out when I’m late for work and lets me know about it.
“His livelihood is around interacting with people and seeing people every day so I can imagine that this self-isolation has been hard for him not only financially but from a social perspective too.”
Jacob livestreamed the entire Tour De Flat, and for the final stage – including a surprise sprint finish – he was joined by another lockdown legend, BBC sports commentator Rob Walker and other special guests.
