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Mural celebrates efforts to help city's homeless

Carys NallyBristol
News imageSteven Stone Artist Melo in front of her artwork as part of Art Sync's mural in Bristol. The artwork is colourful and large, with a BillyChip chip depicted in the centre left of the mural.Steven Stone
Artist Esme, aka Melo, in front of her artwork celebrating BillyChip as part of Art Sync's mural in Bristol

A 19m (62ft) mural has been unveiled in a city centre to celebrate efforts by social enterprises to support the homeless community.

The mural was painted at the People's Republic of Stokes Croft (PRSC) outdoor gallery in Bristol on the 20 and 21 October.

The artwork highlights groups that support the homeless in the city, such as The Big Issue and BillyChip, and signposts the public to a fundraiser that hopes to raise money for Help Bristol's Homeless charity on 22 November.

Azul Amos, co-founder of Art Sync, a Bristol-based mural agency, said: "We've always believed art should inspire and connect people, this is our way of putting that belief into action."

The Help for Britain's Homeless charity provides temporary accommodation and services for homeless people in the city.

BillyChip and DJ James Hype will be putting on the fundraiser, Sync, for the organisation at the Bristol Beacon in November.

A QR code on the mural can be scanned to find out more about the fundraiser.

"We genuinely believe in their cause," Mr Amos said.

"It means a lot to be able to use our platform to spotlight causes that make a real difference."

News imageJamie and Azul stand side by side with the mural in the background. They are smiling at the camera. Jamie is wearing a light green rain jacket, a grey jumper.
Jamie Osborne(L)and Azul Amos, co-founders of Art Sync

The mural, which was brought to life by four Bristol artists: Jody, Melo, Conrico Steez, and AimesWasHere, also celebrates the growing partnership between BillyChip and Big Issue.

Big Issue vendors can now accept BillyChips as payment for magazines in Bristol.

Billy Chip tokens, worth £2, are bought and given to homeless people to exchange in cafes and food shops.

News imageSteven Stone Lewey stands next to his artwork on the mural, featuring bright colours for The Big Issue segment and white spray paint letters that read Billy Chip. Steven Stone
A section of the mural celebrating the relationship between BillyChip and the Big Issue was painted by artist AimesWasHere
News imageSteven Stone James stands in front of the mural with the front of The Big Issue copied onto the mural. He holds The Big Issue up to his face to cover his nose, with his black rimmed glasses seen over the top of the issue. The front cover of the magazine shows a man pictured in black and white pointing out of the picture. Steven Stone
Artist Jody Thomas recreates the front of the most recent Big Issue on the mural, featuring DJ James Hype

Jack Gascoigne, communications director at BillyChip, said they have been working hard to build "meaningful connections" with organisations who share their vision for change.

He said: "Seeing these partnerships come together, from Big Issue to Art Sync and DJ James Hype, shows how collaboration can make a real difference for those who need it most."

News imageSteven Stone Two sections of the mural side by side - one showing the man in black and white pointing out to members of the public on the left, on the right the Help Bristol's Homeless microhomes on the right. The QR code where people can find more about the fundraiser can be seen on the left of the microhomes section.Steven Stone
The Help Bristol's Homeless microhomes were painted onto the mural by artist Conrico Steez

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