I am running the Manchester Marathon for the Big Issue North Trust because they support vendors like me to change their lives.

Last year, the Big Issue North Trust provided vendors with crisis support 1,580 times, financial support 553 times, health and wellbeing support 188 times, and accommodation support 122 times, and supported 36 vendors into education and 156 vendors into new employment, as well as providing a range of support, including help accessing services, help getting ID, home furnishing packages and projects such as breakfast clubs, and financial aid while they could not work due to lockdown restrictions. This would not be possible without your generosity.

For people with limited other means of earning an income, selling Big Issue North also provides vendors with the opportunity to build self-confidence and to interact with others.

Thank you for helping me to make these opportunities possible for others like me.