ANYONE stuck for change who wants to buy a copy of Big Issue North in York will soon be able to pay by contactless card - thanks to the legacy of a former vendor.

Pete Toulson sold Big Issue North outside Marks & Spencer in Parliament Street, but died last November, leading his friends John and Julie McGall to crowdfund his funeral, raising more than £5,500.

A sum of money was left over from the service, and they said some had been given to Mr Toulson’s partner, while £600 would go to Big Issue North to pay for training and contactless card units for vendors in York and Leeds to use.

John said: “We wouldn’t have imagined this when we set up the crowdfunding. It’s an amazing legacy for Peter. I’m sure he would have been very pleased and proud of what we’ve achieved over the last few months.”

Julie said: “We didn’t just want to use the money to buy copies of the magazine or start a crisis fund, as that would go quite quickly.”

The first contactless trial was set up in Leeds by vendor Sin Bad in March, who said it was another way to ensure sales of the magazine, and his customers had been impressed by the technology.

He said: “The more word is getting spread, the more people are coming to use it. It’s just business at the end of the day.”

Liam Hughes, who took over Mr Toulson’s pitch, said he was something of a technophobe, but was looking forward to using the new equipment.

He said: “Personally, I’ve managed to get off the street, and other vendors are trying to do the same.

“If I had a penny for every time someone said they didn’t have any change, I’d be a rich man.

“We’re trying to keep the Big Issue alive.”

By the end of July, vendors who have access to a smartphone and a bank account, and who are willing to take part in the trial, will be trained to use the new kit, and Anna Manetta-Stark from Big Issue North said the introduction of the units was another way to help vendors back into everyday life.

She said: “Vendors make the sacrifice by working, not begging. they invest into their work by buying the magazines before selling them on.

“We thank John and Julie so much for taking their time to set up the fundraising page. It’s incredibly humbling to know people do care.”