SCOTTISH Labour leader Jim Murphy and Glasgow stand up Janey Godley are among a host of well-known faces who have signed up to be guest vendors selling the Big Issue in support of the International Network of Street Papers (INSP).

 

Members of the bands Chvrches, Twin Atlantic, The View, Twilight Sad and Mogwai, will also take part, along with Sunday Herald and The National editor Richard Walker.

Each will each give up an hour of their time to sell The Big Issue in Glasgow and Edinburgh, mentored by real Big Issue vendors, on 4 and 5 February.

They will be joined by comedians Robert Florence and Iain Connell of Burnistoun fame and 11 Members of the Scottish Parliament.

The event aims to boost Big Issue sales at a traditionally quiet time of year, raise awareness of issues around homelessness and also raise money for INSP.

Each guest vendor will also be sponsored, raising money for INSP's poverty-reduction work around the world.

The Scottish guest vendor event is part of a UK-wide series, which also features Sky TV's Kay Burley, Blue and Strictly Come Dancing star Simon Webbe, controversial MP George Galloway, former Home Secretary David Blunkett, editor of The Spectator magazine Fraser Nelson, and RAF veteran and NHS campaigner Harry Leslie Smith.

INSP Chief Executive Maree Aldam said: "The #VendorWeek Big Sell does more than just raise money - it also gives our guest vendors an amazing opportunity to work with street paper sellers and understand the challenges they face.

"INSP is delighted to see such great support in Scotland. #VendorWeek is an amazing opportunity for us to celebrate the 14,000 people who sell street papers worldwide. Street papers offer homeless, unemployed and vulnerable people a means to work their way out of poverty.

"All the money raised from the #VendorWeek Big Sell will go to help INSP's work supporting these innovative projects. "