PRESS RELEASE: 200,000 helped out of homelessness by global street paper network

Latest figures released to mark UN Day for the Eradication of Poverty (17th October):

• Over 200,000 vendors earned a living through street paper sales since 1994

• 71 per cent of papers helped vendors get out of homelessness

• 84 per cent say selling the papers improved vendors' wellbeing

• A quarter of papers are involved in creating policy change on housing and homelessness in their home city or region

• 114 street papers and magazines now spread across 40 countries

"The street papers have been such a vital route to a more positive existence for so many of those 200,000 sellers, and we will continue to build on that progress." - Lisa Maclean, executive director, INSP

German street paper 'ideas day'

Pictured: Michaela Gründler, Apropos,
Austria; Frank Dries, Straatnieuws, Netherlands

Following on from the successful German street paper conference in April this year (read more), German language street paper representatives once again gathered, this time for an 'Ideas Day', on the 8th October, as part of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion.

The event was organised by Beatrice Gerst (Trott-War), Director of the German-Speaking platform of street papers; Gaby Sohl - Member of the 'Die Tageszeitung' chief editorial team (Daily newspaper); and Dr Lutz Meyer - Managing Director of Scholz & Friends (PR company).

Helen's marathon

INSP's Fundraising Officer Helen Harvey recently ran the Loch Ness Marathon with her father Alan, to raise money for INSP. Helen and Alan [pictured at the finish line with 'Nessie', the Loch Ness Monster] trained hard for 4 months in preparation for the challenge. Talking about completing the marathon, Helen said "With support from mum, mates and a vuvuzuela we made it to the finish line with a smile."

Recognised as one of the UK's leading marathons, the Loch Ness Marathon follows a spectacular route through stunning Highland scenery, along the south-eastern shores of Loch Ness, and then crosses the River Ness to finish beside the river at Bught Park, Inverness.

Helen and Alan have so far raised over £1,200 for INSP. You can still donate here.

INSP would like to say a huge congratulations to Helen and Alan for this amazing achievement. We are also truly grateful that they chose to raise money for INSP, and for the generous donations from people over the past few weeks.