A military veteran is donating all his earnings from Big Issue sales to armed forces charities ahead of Remembrance Day. James Brewer, 59, sells the Big Issue outside Temple Meads Station in Bristol and is donating his income this week to the SSAFA and the RAF Benevolent Fund.
He says it is in memory of his brother a fellow former serviceman who passed away when “his mental health gave way” five years ago. Since leaving himself, Brewer has mostly lived in tents and on the streets, selling the Big Issue to raise income and relying on charities like the SSAFA for “boots, sleeping bags and tents”.
The Big Issue have donated the first 50 magazines free to James to sell to support his fundraising work. The support team in Bristol will be working with James all week to support his fundraising efforts.
James said: “I’d like to say to people please buy a magazine this week because these are really good causes. ‘I haven’t got loads of money but as long as I cover the cost of the mags I’m not worried about takings. I’ll get through it.
“Bloody everything about leaving the forces is hard. It almost seems impossible to recover from that. You can do it. You do do it. You have to get through every day.
“Big Issue keeps me afloat. It feeds me, it takes care of me. If it wasn’t for Big Issue, I’d really be in a right mess.”
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Penny Walster, director of programmes for Big Issue Changing Lives CIC, said: “James’ selfless choice to donate his Big Issue sales to a cause that’s so close to his heart is truly admirable and we’re glad to be doing everything we can to support his efforts. If you’re passing through Temple Meads Station, make sure to stop to buy a copy from James this week and every week.”
James Brewer sells the Big Issue outside Bristol Temple Meads Station every day from 6:30am to 11am. All his sales until Remembrance Sunday will be donated to armed forces charities SSAFA and the RAF Benevolent Fund.