Chris was a double amputee who lost his legs in his service for the military in South Africa he completed 30 years of service to his country before moving to the UK to be closer to his mother as she was ill. Chris had no links and hardly any money to set up a home he went through homelessness but eventually got his own council flat.

To pay for his transport to visit his mother in the stow on the wolds he sold the big issue he was on certain pain medication and being in a wheelchair found it extremely hard to find a job.

He dedicated himself to serving the public on a daily basis on his pitch next to Gregg's in Cheltenham. In his own words he said previously in a magazine:

"I have a range of customers which includes everyone from university professors to people with PhDs in esoteric subjects such as astronomy and micro-electronics.

I get a huge amount of enjoyment out of selling The Big Issue. It used to be that if I didn’t make a certain amount of money I wouldn’t
be happy. Now I have an established clientele – I know who’s getting to see me, and something that started because of financial motivation has become hugely motivating socially"

Chris Clarke was a very well known gentleman the "Cheltenham grandpa" if you like! After posting his passing on Cheltenham noticeboard over 600 people commented shared and gave love as they remembered what such great presence he bought to Cheltenham high street.

Chris doesn't deserve a paupers funeral and aswell as a vigil being held we would like to give him the send off he deserves, he served in the military where he lost his legs and he served the community and stayed in Cheltenham because he enjoyed nothing more than watching the world go by in his wheelchair on Cheltenham high street talking and making all of us laugh. Chris never asked for favours and on many occasions I've seen him donate money he made selling his magazines I think it's time we can all give to Chris 1 final time to give him the send off he deserves.