Sydney Swans players hit the streets of Sydney on Wednesday afternoon to sell copies of The Big Issue, supporting the street magazine’s homeless and disadvantage vendors.

Harry Cunningham, Sam Murray and Tyrone Leonardis represented the Swans in The Big Issue’s inaugural Footy Sales Challenge against seven other clubs across three codes.

The players were in Bondi Junction selling the magazines and calendars alongside regular vendor Dave.

Cunningham said it was great a experience to take part and make a difference in the community.

“It was great to be able to spend some time with Dave and help him out in selling copies of The Big Issue,” Cunningham said.

“You certainly have to respect the hard work that goes into selling these products, but we all had a lot of fun joining in and hopefully brought him some joy ahead of Christmas.”

Vendors buy copies of The Big Issue for $3.50 and sell them for $7, earning the $3.50 difference from each sale. More than 6500 men and women have sold The Big Issue since it launched in Australia 20 years ago, collectively earning $24 million.

The Big Issue Christmas Edition is on sale from 2-25 December. The bumper edition is eight pages longer than regular editions and features holiday wishes written by Big Issue vendors, a look at Australia’s housing shortage and an interview with Micky Dolenz from The Monkees – among much more.

The Big Issue is a not-for-profit organisation that tackles homelessness and disadvantage by providing opportunities for people in need to earn an income and reconnect with the community.