New Wheels for Big World -- Richmond, KY

Here's a story about Big World from the Richmond Register.

If you were to ask anyone around Richmond if they knew Anthony Mitchell, few would say so. Ask that same crowd if they know Big World, and everyone's got a story.

Anthony Mitchell, "Big World", has been a fixture around town for over two decades; he's the big, happy guy on a lawn mower or bicycle who hauls advertising around for local businesses.

And he's a big deal. He's been honored with a silhouette of his likeness painted on a building downtown and, when he was in the hospital with pneumonia, the local newspaper had to publish a story to update everyone on his health.

The newspaper recently published a different story about Big World. Two months ago, Big World found out he could no longer ride his lawn mower on roads and sidewalks. Local and state laws, in compliance with federal highway safety regulations, don't allow it.

Big World has made a business out of hauling advertising plackards around for local businesses. Since the law prohibits his using a lawn mower to do so, and since his health makes riding a bicycle difficult, his advertising business has suffered.

The goal of this campaign is to raise money to buy Big World a scooter, trike, small tractor, or other vehicle that complies with local laws and enables him to maintain his advertising business -- and his iconic status in Richmond. Funds from the campaign will also be used to help with initial licensing and insurance costs for Big World.