Crowdfunding for York Big Issue seller’s funeral reaches £4000

The people of York have raised over £4,000 for the funeral of a popular local Big Issue seller. Peter Toulson, 53, who sold the magazine by Marks & Spenser in Parliament Street, passed away in late November.

Peter’s friends, John and Julie McGall, set up a crowdfunding page to raise money for the funeral, reported the York Press. The couple, who offer support to York’s rough sleepers, had known Peter for several years and had given him clothes and taken him out for meals.

Speaking to the York Press, John said: “We didn’t want him to have a pauper’s funeral so we set up the page and it has taken off.

“It’s unbelievable and a pity that he didn’t have this money when he was alive.”

Peter became homeless in the 1990s after spending several months in hospital. He lost his job and was later evicted from his flat. To date, the JustGiving page has raised over £4,400 with donations from more than 280 people.