Truro Big Issue vendor raises £1,000 for dog home that helped him get new puppy

Big-hearted Big Issue vendor Nick Cuthbert has raised more than £1,000 for the dog rescue centre that helped him get new puppy Bracken.

Cuthbert introduced his new labrador to his pitch outside Marks & Spencer at Lemon Quay, Truro, on 17 July and asked his regular customers to come up with a new name for the puppy in exchange for a donation.

The idea ended up raising £1,108 for Last Chance Hotel animal rescue sanctuary in nearby Chacewater, where Cuthbert was able to find his new canine companion.

The gesture comes just six months after the veteran vendor lost long-time pet chocolate labrador-mix Bryony, who passed away at the age of 14 on 21 February.

“It’s just gone mental here,” said Cuthbert.

“It’s been brilliant. I’m over the moon. I’ve gone for a black labrador because I couldn’t bring myself to get a brown one after Bryony.”

Cuthbert’s customers have flocked to his pitch to see new arrival Bracken.

It’s also been a period of adjustment for Cuthbert as he tried to keep up with the excitable puppy. But he is grateful to have a dog in his life once more after some of his regular customers helped to get a new dog to replace Bryony.

“It’s been very tiring – we’ve been getting up most mornings at five o’clock but it’s nice to have a dog in my life again,” said Cuthbert.

“She’s been a big hit on my pitch – I couldn’t leave her in the caravan on her own anyway – and we’ve just been hounded with people. Thanks to the people who chipped in to help me get her.”

Big Issue vendor Cuthbert described Bryony as the “love his life” earlier in the year after the dog’s death saw the two part for the first time since she was just seven weeks old.

The pair became a popular sight on the vendor’s long-time pitch and even bonded with TV star Dermot O’Leary back in 2018 over a shared love of dogs.

Nick is still fundraising for Last Chance Hotel with a box on his pitch. If you’d like to help you can also donate online

You can buy a subscription to the magazine from Nick here, with 50% of the proceeds going directly to him

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