2020-03-23_The_Big_Issue_UserUpload.Net

46 | BIGISSUE.COM 23-29 MARCH 2020

ROB

LOVETT, 49

A couple of years ago I did an interview in

The Big Issue saying I wanted to walk the

length of the UK. Now I’m doing it with my

Staffy Molly, all the way from John o’ Groats to

Land’s End, all down the coast. Every opportunity I

can get I’m out walking. I like to get plenty of fresh

air and this is just something that’s going to be a

good experience, especially right now.

I was on the streets for 20 years, on and off.

A long time ago I ran way from home, you know

how it is. You pack your bags and you do what

you do. But I was one of the first sellers of

The Big Issue, I started in Victoria in London. I

would get myself sorted out and get a job but

when it all went wrong I always ended up coming

back to The Big Issue. It’s something you can rely

on and it means you’re not going to fall into a life

of crime because you need food. I’d had my pitch

in Kent for many, many years – about 15 on and off

• and I had a lot of regulars by the time I left.
  All my customers said to me, you want to
  collect money for charity on your walk. So I’ve
  made my own sponsorship forms and I’m raising a
  bit of money for Blue Cross, PDSA and Dogs Trust.
  I’m up to about £1,600 already. I enjoy walking and
  I was going to do this anyway, so why not do it for
  charity and get a bit more ego for me?
  I hope we’ll do 15-20 miles each day. At the
  moment we’re walking 26,650 steps a day, which
  isroughly12miles,soIonlyhavetoadd another
  4,000steps. I’ve gotan appon myphonethat
  countsthem.I’ve givenmyselfatimeframeof
  twoyearsthough,asI’m goingtobesellingThe
  BigIssue on mywaydownand Iwanttotake inas

much scenery as I can. And I’d like to stay within

half a mile of the coast if possible because I like

the sea.

My accommodation’s going to be in my

backpack. I’ve got a tent and a sleeping bag so I’ll

be kipping rough, just enjoying the views. Molly

has her dog food, or if I’m cooking she’ll just have

what I’m having. After my mum passed away

last summer I moved in with my partner. But

I’d already decided to do this before I met her

and she’s cool with it. We’ll speak every day on

the phone.

I’m scared, I’m not going to say that I’m not. But

I think it’s more nerves because I’m stepping out of

my comfort zone. I’m going to miss everyone. The

last few weeks I have actually cried myself to sleep

but deep down I’m excited. My customers kept

asking me if I had everything I needed but I think

we’ve got everything covered. A customer bought

me some poles and a good pair of walking socks,

but it’s just the general support that means the

most. They’re not just your customers, they’re like

extended family. Everyone’s always kind and polite

to me and I’m the same to them.

The coronavirus has not changed anything at

all for me and I’ll still be going ahead as normal.

I’m not going to be in contact with a lot of people

at any one time while I’m out and about and I’ll

still sell magazines if and when I can.

FollowRob’swalkonInstagram @bigissuerob

Interview: Sarah Reid

Photo:Luke Granger

I’m hoping to

walk the

length of the

UK. I like to

get plenty

of fresh air

THEBIGISSUE

MANIFESTO

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MY WALK

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