Advertisement
Housing

Thousands join Social Bite in sleeping rough to raise money for homeless

The Sleep in the Park charity event, starring Liam Gallagher and John Cleese, has reportedly raised £3.6 million so far

Over 8,000 people slept rough in central Edinburgh on the coldest night of the year to raise money to tackle homelessness.

The Sleep In The Park event on Saturday in Princes St Gardens, hosted by comedian Rob Brydon, and was attended by Scottish Deputy First Minister John Swinney and Bob Geldof.

The event, organised by Social Bite, saw participants pledging to fundraise at least £100 each, and it’s reported that £3.6 million of the £4 million target has been raised so far.

Those who did take part were treated to live music from Liam Gallagher, Amy Macdonald, Frightened Rabbit and Deacon Blue, while comedy legend John Cleese read a bedtime story.

Josh Littlejohn MBE, Social Bite co-founder, said: “There are 11,000 homeless households in Scotland. When I think about all of the amazing different people, sleeping in this garden tonight, the one thing that strikes me about these statistics of homelessness is that they are not insurmountable.

“We won’t end homelessness after one night, but we have made one giant leap towards that goal. And that is the victory of everyone who took part.”

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertisement

The Big Issue’s team leader in Scotland Rhys Morgan said: “It was a great event to be part of, alongside Shelter. People were very supportive and engaged with our vendors and knew why we were there.

“The vendors really enjoyed it, and were adamant they stayed until the end despite the temperature.”

Even though the event is now over, The Big Issue’s vendors are braving the cold selling this week’s magazine, featuring an exclusive interview with Star Wars legend Mark Hamill.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

SIGN THE PETITION

Will you sign Big Issue's petition to ask Keir Starmer to pass a Poverty Zero law? It's time to hold government to account on poverty once and for all.

Recommended for you

Read All
Renter fury as no-fault eviction ban likely delayed until 2026: 'Let down yet again'
renters protest in London with protesters holding placards
Renting

Renter fury as no-fault eviction ban likely delayed until 2026: 'Let down yet again'

Public transport not keeping up with surge in new homes, analysis finds: 'We must plan more intelligently'
a bus
Public transport

Public transport not keeping up with surge in new homes, analysis finds: 'We must plan more intelligently'

Government pledge to help care leavers into social housing 'will literally save lives'
care leavers hand in petition at Downing Street
Social housing

Government pledge to help care leavers into social housing 'will literally save lives'

Social services threatened to take refugee's newborn baby away in row over horror hostel
A stock image of a baby's foot
Asylum accommodation

Social services threatened to take refugee's newborn baby away in row over horror hostel

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue