Le Tour De Flat - The big issue
CHALLENGE
On the 20th March 2020 (due to the growing Coronavirus pandemic) all Big Issue vendors were pulled off the street for the first time in 29 years to keep them safe. Not being able to sell the paper on the streets meant no way for them to make a living. A call to subscribe and support followed, but as someone who would consider their local vendor a good friend, I wanted to do more. But, what can you do when you too are stuck at home?
SOLUTION
When it comes to raising funds for charity the first port of call is generally a fun run or a marathon. Off the cards under lockdown. The answer lay in an exercise bike I’d been using as a clothes horse for the past 2 years, a catchy name, and borderline copyright infringement. ‘Le Tour De Flat’ was born. Lasting 41 days, spanning 3500 static KM and live-streamed on Twitch and Instagram throughout, it raised over £16,000 for the BIG ISSUE, gained coverage and praise from media outlets and sportspeople worldwide and culminated in a live show hosted by TV’s own Rob Walker with special guests including Radio 1’s Chris Stark, Cycling’s Rebbeca Charlton, and the BBC’s Phil Parry to name a few.
