Advertisement
News

Tributes paid to “polite and kind” Big Issue vendor

Andrew Kieser, 36, sold the magazine in Bournemouth for 14 years and will be greatly missed by staff and his customers

We are saddened to share the news of the death of popular Big Issue vendor Andrew Kieser.

Andrew, 36, who sold the magazine outside Topshop in Bournemouth on and off for 14 years, sadly passed away over the Christmas period.

He was described by Big Issue staff in Bournemouth as a “polite and kind” person, who was doing his best to address personal issues.

Simon Chilcott, head of service development for The Big Issue in Bournemouth, said Andrew will be greatly missed by staff, volunteers, vendors and his customers.

“Andrew was such a polite and kind individual who will be sadly missed by The Big Issue team, vendors and the many customers he had spoken to over the years. These last few years had been especially tough for Andy due to his son’s genetic condition, also his own housing issues. He was a doting father who tried his hardest to juggle life so he could spend as much time as possible with his young son.”

Simon added: “We have a lovely volunteer who bakes cakes for the vendors and one of Andy’s guilty pleasures was a slice of cake and a cup of coffee, he also loved discussing with our volunteer what cake to make next.”

Advertisement
Advertisement

In his My Pitch interview in The Big Issue two years ago, Andrew said he had struggled off and on with addiction, which in the past had cost him a job, relationship and home. He had sold the magazine at various times as and when he needed to, and his ambition was to spend more time with his son, who has mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome.

On a Facebook post announcing Andrew’s death his ex-partner said that their son Malachi, aged six, “loved his dad very much and his dad loved him.”

Andrew had been a keen pianist as a youngster, and had as an adult returned to his passion for playing piano, performing in church occasionally. He spoke in his My Pitch interview of his love for classical music, his favourite composer Beethoven, and recommended readers listen to Moonlight Sonata as an introduction.

Advertisement

Support the Big Issue

For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

Read All
Care worker faced homelessness as low pay left her with 'nothing' to fall back on
social care/ abbie bowler
Social care

Care worker faced homelessness as low pay left her with 'nothing' to fall back on

Housing crisis: Shared ownership an 'unbearable reality' which has 'failed to deliver', MPs warn
Housing

Housing crisis: Shared ownership an 'unbearable reality' which has 'failed to deliver', MPs warn

Most tenants have never heard of the beleaguered Renters Reform Bill
Renters and the Renters Reform Bill
Renting

Most tenants have never heard of the beleaguered Renters Reform Bill

'Job apocalypse': Up to 8 million Brits risk losing their jobs to AI, government warned
Employment

'Job apocalypse': Up to 8 million Brits risk losing their jobs to AI, government warned

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue