A FUNDRAISING campaign has been set up in memory of a popular Big Issue seller who died earlier this year.

Michael ‘Mick’ White, who had been a Big Issue vendor since 1998 and sold the magazine in Whittlesey since February 2009, died of pneumonia earlier this year.

Alan Bessant, of Whittlesey, has set up a Just Giving page in his memory in aid the Big Issue Foundation, which helps people affected by homelessness find permanent homes and jobs.

Mr Bessant said: “Mick was always polite and worked whatever the weather – he liked music and would chat to people and look after their dogs when they went in the shops

“He was very stoic about his own situation.

“I first became aware of him about three years ago one Saturday during one of the really cold snaps.

“He was still selling but it was so cold he was shaking and at risk of hyperthermia.

“No one had noticed but at that moment a kind old pensioner stopped and told him he should pack up as he was getting too cold so he called it a day.”

Mick had a profound effect on the people of Whittlesey, who have posted tributes on the Just Giving page.

One poster said: “Used to always buy a copy from Mick. Was so sad to hear the news a while back. Such a fantastic cause. RIP Mick.”

Another poster described Mick as “a nice guy” and Councillor Martin Curtis said the campaign was “a great way of remembering Mick”.

Bessant hopes people will be inspired by Mick’s story to support other homeless people.

He said: “The Big Issue gives people a helping hand – not a hand out.

“So perhaps people who used to buy from Mick could make a small donation instead to help others in his situation.”

You can donate to the Big Issue Foundation in Mick’s memory at http://www.justgiving.com/whittleseybigissue