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 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.”