WELL-KNOWN faces did a roaring trade selling the Big Issue in Glasgow yesterday - to even more famous buyers.
Sir Alex Ferguson snapped up a copy from a guest vendor as he left Central Station in Glasgow.
The former Manchester United manager, who bought his magazine from chief executive of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry Ross Martin, was just one of many supporting The Big Sell-off.
It has seen TV pers-onalities - such as Gary Tank Commander actor Greg McHugh - lawyers and chief executives donate their time to sell The Big Issue. The drive was launched by the Glasgow-based International Network of Street Papers (INSP) and The Big Issue, to raise money for both causes, and was part of INSP's annual International Street Paper Vendor Week.
In Glasgow, the guest vendors ranged from broadcaster Shereen Nanjiani to Scott Taylor, chief executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.
Actor Greg descr-ibed his hour-long experience as an "eye-opener".
He said: "I have a bit of an easier shift because people were recognising me from the TV and coming up and getting a magazine.
"You still just get hundreds of people blanking you.
"It isn't your fault, everyone is doing their own thing."
Baroness Helen Liddell, the former Scottish Secretary, said: "I'm shocked at how many people are rude.
"Sometimes now-adays we can't afford the £2.50 [cost of the magazine], but at least be nice to the seller."
Angela McCracken, a partner with law firm Levy & McRae, said: "Selling the magazine is a hard job and I would ask anybody to bear that in mind whenever they see a Big Issue seller.
"People have to be more aware of what the sellers endure every day to make what is a very nominal amount of money."
Ally Dawson, the former Rangers and Scotland player, and development manager (west) with Street Soccer Scotland, said: "What is important for the vendors is that they get a little bit of acknowledgement from people, even if it is just a quick 'Hello, how are you doing?' sort of thing."
Tim Blott, managing director of The Herald and Times Group, said: "Some passers-by have been more receptive than others, but you'd expect that in this sort of weather."
To support The Big Sell-off and your favourite guest vendor, go to www.street-papers.org/the-big- sell-off
russell.leadbetter@ eveningtimes.co.uk
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article