Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Andrew Harding hit the streets this morning in a fluoro vest and holding an armful of copies of The Big Issue, joining a regular vendor to sell the magazine on St Georges Terrace as part of a week-long national event.
A number of Western Australian senior business leaders and politicians will join Mr Harding throughout the week as part of International Street Paper Vendor Week.
The International Network of Street Papers, an organisation that supports 122 papers around the world, runs the annual event.
The event aims to promote the work of The Big Issue and shine the spotlight on the homeless and disadvantaged people who sell street papers around the world.
The Big Issue is Australia’s longest-standing social enterprise that gives homeless, marginalised and disadvantaged people the opportunity to work by making a profit on the magazines they sell.
Among those joining the event this year will be ABN Group managing director Dale Alcock, Fringe World chief executive Marcus Canning, City of Perth Deputy Lord Mayor Rob Butler, and CSC Australia account general managers Dominic Bull and Ronny Braunstein.
They will partner with vendors throughout the week to help sell as many copies of the magazine as possible, at locations around the city, as well as Osborne Park and Subiaco.
Mr Harding, alongside vendor Shane, sold about 40 copies this morning at the front of the Rio Tinto’s Central Park office.
The average number of sales at a single location is about 10.
“I’m pleased to be able to play a small role in helping to raise awareness about homelessness and disadvantage,” Mr Harding said.
“It’s really important that we recognise people like Shane, who are taking positive action in their lives.
“I’m also very proud that many of my employees donate their time and money to organisations supporting people who are facing issues like homelessness and disadvantage.”
Rio Tinto Iron Ore has been involved with The Big Issue previously, including last year when a number of employees donated the value of their company Christmas hamper to the organisation, raising more than $12,000.
The Big Issue launched in Australia in 1996, based on the success of its UK counterpart, and its national circulation has climbed from 7,000 in the year it launched to 27,000 currently.