Deda Gheorge, Market Square, Richmond, North Yorkshire

Image: Juliette Pedram

I sell Big Issue in Richmond and I have been working with Big Issue for the last seven years. I had a problem with my eyes back when I lived in Romania in 2005. I had cataracts, so I had to get surgery. After I moved to the UK, I had an accident where a contact lens dropped in my eye and caused me a lot of pain. I have had four laser operations for it since. I can only see with one eye now.

I’m happy here selling Big Issue. It allows me to pay for my life, my food, the bus to my pitch. Some people are good to me here. I can’t do anything about people who don’t like me. But there’s always something that will make my day good. Tracy from the Big Issue office understands my story and she’s really good to me. She took me to the eye hospital in Sunderland. Gary is also really good to me. If I call them they will come to see me, bring magazines or provide other support. They’re good people.

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Saturday is my favourite day on my pitch because the market is on. People come to Richmond to buy vegetables, flowers and many other things. It means I am very busy and selling a lot of magazines. I tell everyone “good morning” or “hello”. Not every­one answers but some do.I have some regular customers but I also see new people every day.

I am selling Big Issue because with my eye I can’t do something different. It’s very difficult because if I close the other eye I can’t see your face any more, just a shape. So I can’t get another job. Some people say bad words to me, but after I explain my story they understand and feel sorry.

Sometimes I have a headache because of my eye,especially on a sunny day when it’s bright I get blinded and I need to sit down in the shade. But people here understand.

I accept cashless payments. People can send money directly into my bank account. Most people prefer handing cash but if they don’t have it they can send the money.

Around Christmas time I was talking all day, joking with children, singing, wishing everyone a merry Christmas. I’m always very happy selling the magazine around Christmas. Different people also come to Richmond around that time too. People from Canada, France, Spain… everyone buys Big Issue around Christmas, and people also give me sweets. So I was able to sell more magazines. Talking to my friends here makes me happy too. There are a lot of Christian people here and I love talking to them, that is a happy part of my day.

I want to go to Romania to see my daughter and my  grandchildren.I have not seen my daughter in many years and I have never met the children. Selling Big Issue, I am trying to save enough money to pay for the trip. It has not been possible yet.

Maybe that is something for 2026. But I have no idea what will happen this year. There are no guarantees in my life. Only God knows what will happen.

Thank you to everyone. Bless you to all my customers. Have a happy new year and all the best.

Interview: Brontë Schiltz

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Market Square, Market Place, Richmond, North Yorkshire, UK