In The Press
Big Issue seller's bike ride to Paris is his way of saying thanks
From The Bath Chronicle Thu 28 May, 2009
He has spent most of his life living on the streets and moving from one hostel to the next. But now Sean Gaskell is trying to get his life back on track - and when he sets off on his latest journey, there'll be a real sense of purpose. The Big Issue seller, who works in the city, will in July embark on one of the biggest challenges he has ever undertaken. The 26 year old will be one of hundreds of people cycling more than 280 miles from London to Paris to say thank you to the organisation which he says has helped him get back on his feet. Sean, who had a turbulent childhood after his parents split up when he was 11, left home and began living on the streets at the age of 16. He said he wanted to do something to say thank you to the Big Issue Foundation charity and hopes to raise more than £3,000 through the three-day bike ride. He said: "They have done so much for me and I felt it was time I gave something back. I am really looking forward to it and can't wait to finish." Last week, Sean, who has been working with the charity for 10 years, gave a talk about his life to sixth-formers at the Royal High School. Teachers and pupils were so touched by his story they decided to donate a bike for the event to replace the old shopper's machine he has been training with. Sean said: "It is really good of them and I couldn't have done it without them. My other bike is falling to bits and it would have been really hard - it would have looked like something out of a comedy sketch." Although he still lives in a tent, Sean has plans to get settled with a place of his own soon. He said the charity was helping him to get a bank account and enrol on a college course as he hopes to become a youth or social worker. He said: "I began working for The Big Issue because I found begging was quite degrading. It is a very good way of making money and it has really boosted my confidence as well." Sean, who leads an active lifestyle, also plans to climb Mt Kilimanjaro next year to raise more money for the organisation. To sponsor him on his bike ride visit www.justgiving.com/seangaskell
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