TALENTED pupils at a Paisley school have helped to create a special edition of The Big Issue. 

The whizz-kids from Mary Russell School partnered with the street vendor to produce the latest issue, which is released this week. 

They were just one of 14 schools across Scotland who helped The Big Issue’s team in Glasgow to piece together the social enterprise inspired supplement. 

Pupils, aged from nine to 16, then spent the day at Renfrewshire Council’s headquarters in Paisley on Tuesday selling their creation. 

The magazine was created as a result of a partnership between The Big Issue and Social Enterprise Academy (SEA). The SEA supports over 1,000 schools across Scotland to set-up pupil led social enterprises. 

The Gazette:

Lewis Fudge, a pupil at Mary Russell School, said: “It’s been really fun trying to sell the magazine to people. It’s probably been my favourite part – closing the deal and getting money so we can keep our breakfast club going at school.”

Ebony Biggam, also a pupil, said: “I’m usually very shy and going up to people and asking them to buy the magazine without being shy has helped grow my confidence.”

Julie McCallum, head teacher at Mary Russell School, said: “Our pupils were thrilled to get the chance to help create this special ‘social enterprise’ edition of the Big Issue magazine and then experience life as a vendor selling copies at Renfrewshire Council headquarters.

They have gained great experience and confidence through setting up a social enterprise at the school and we are excited about developing this further to benefit our school and our local community.”

Paul McNamee, editor of The Big Issue, said: “It’s been really special to see the pupils from Mary Russell selling the magazine."

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