The Famous, Rich & Homeless Christmas Curry
Comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli cooks up a night of celebration at Big Issue Foundation fundraiser!
It is seldom that rough sleepers get to enjoy some respite but that’s what Big Issue vendors did last week to help raise awareness of the work of the Big Issue Foundation.
More than 100 people - vendors and invited guests - gathered in the Duke Of Cambridge pub in Angel, Islington, to enjoy a curry at a fundraising event organised and hosted by the writer and comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli.
Singh Kohli, who spent 10 days on London’s streets whilst making the BBC documentary Famous, Rich And Homeless, said his life had been touched by the issue: “I was homeless for 10 days, but that’s nothing when I think that people do that every day. Nobody chooses to be homeless. It usually comes at the end of lots of other things happening. They don’t need pity, they need help and support,” he said.
He went on to praise the work of the Big Issue Foundation, which provides vendors with information, advice, guidance and support to address the underlying causes of homelessness, and said he had been inspired by meeting Big Issue vendors.
“I was homeless for 10 days, but that’s nothing when I think that people do that every day. Nobody chooses to be homeless." Hardeep Singh Kohli
“It surprised me to know that Big Issue vendors have their own network. Vendors in London know vendors in Birmingham and Cardiff, and that’s more than I can say about my neighbours in London,” he said. “There are things that we can all learn from the Big Issue.”
Anthony North, head of fundraising for the Foundation, said: “We had a fantastic night with more than 100 people attending our first Famous, Rich And Homeless Christmas Curry. “The event brought together people from all areas of society to celebrate 18 years of The Big Issue, and the incredible achievements shown by our vendors.
“Our host, Hardeep Singh Kohli, was fantastic, and with his help we hope to raise £15,000 for the Big Issue Foundation, which will assist and support vendors in their journey away from homelessness.”
Click here to find out how you can help vendors in their journey away from homelessness or call 0207 526 3456
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