Once again (after a couple of years' break) I am embarking on the Manchester 10k. 

It's part of my job to talk to the amazing vendors who, week in and week out, sell Big Issue North magazine. The Trust, the charity I am raising money for, provides support and services to those vendors. It's not a massive charity but it does a lot with the little money that it gets. For example, it pays for staff who offer support to vendors, who help them with day to day things like finding somewhere to live and accessing training and employment opportunities. Only today I was talking a vendor who, with the help of The Trust, has been through college so he can work as a painter and decorator. He is about to start work, and The Trust has even helped pay for the equipment he needs.

To find out more about what the charity does and about the vendors it supports, visit the website: 

https://www.bigissuenorth.com/our-work1/

https://www.bigissuenorth.com/our-work/vendor-stories/

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.