The Big Issue Foundation has launched an appeal for a bike to enable one of the magazine’s vendors to take part in its London-Amsterdam Cycle Challenge and raise funds to help homeless and vulnerably housed people.
Pat, who oversees the Big Issue distribution point at Oxford Circus in London’s West End, had initially aimed to undertake the 150-mile ride between the British and Dutch capitals last year but he did not manage to find a bike to enable him to train for it.
He now plans to participate with Team TBIF on this year’s ride, which begins on Saturday 17 September from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, but he still needs a bike to get those training miles in.
If you, or anyone you know, can help Pat out, please email events@bigissue.com – and if you want to take part in the challenge yourself, full details including how to enter are here.

6 thoughts on “Big Issue vendor needs bike to train for Amsterdam ride – can you help?”
Tebbit would be proud
Tebbit would be proud
Can we hope it’s a one way
Can we hope it’s a one way trip?
fatbeggaronabike wrote:
That seems a bit rude. What happened to rule no. 3?
fatbeggaronabike wrote:
Sorry, you’ve completely lost me with this comment. He’s planning to do something positive for others (presumably having come from a background of some difficulty himself or he wouldn’t be selling the Big Issue) and you seem to have decided to post something charmless and ignorant in response. I meet amazing and incredibly friendly people all the time directly through cycling, but I do worry sometimes that non-cyclists might read some of the comments on this sight and get the impression that we are a narrow minded, mean and spiteful group of individuals.
alfreddo wrote:
Your comment has prompted me to contact Big Issue to see if they have or will set up a donation page for Pat.
I always think that situations change and sometimes you may be skint, sometimes you may be flush so it’s foolish to judge someone based on their temporary circumstances.
fatbeggaronabike wrote:
That seems a bit harsh 🙁