itison and Social Bite work in tandem to ‘break the cycle’ of homelessness
– WIN A VIP EXPERIENCE WITH CHRIS HOY AS PART OF THE CHARITY EVENT –
Glasgow based itison will once again be working in tandem with Social Bite to offer a VIP experience with cycling legend Chris Hoy, to raise money for the charity and help end homelessness in Scotland and across the UK via its Break The Cycle fundraising event.
Known for its deals and events, itison has teamed up with Social Bite for over eight years and is now offering people across the country a chance to win a VIP meet and greet experience for them and three friends with Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy on 4th September, not to mention training tips and tricks on the run up to the charity ride, now in its second year.
Purchasing a £5 donation on itison will enter each person into a prize draw for the once-in-a-lifetime experience with Scotland’s cycling sweetheart with all monies going to Social Bite to help the homeless.
The winner and three friends will also get entry into one of the three charity cycle routes, a day full of free activities, in addition to complimentary pizza from Pizza Geeks, Break The Cycle totes packed with goodies, and entertainment at Murrayfield Stadium where all cycle routes will end.
Taking place this Sunday (4th September), Social Bite has added two additional routes this year to give more people the chance to take part in the fundraising challenge and help break the cycle of homelessness in Scotland.
Participants now have the option of a 20-mile or a three-mile challenge with the original Ultimate Challenge route still available at a whopping 60 miles, starting at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow, finishing at BT Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh.
Having worked closely with Social Bite since its inception, itison has helped raise over £2.7 million for the charity with members donating thousands of meals to those who need it most, as well as funds for the first Social Bite Village in Edinburgh, with plans underway for villages in Glasgow and Dundee in 2023.
Attendees and participants will also be treated to live entertainment from Michael Welsh, Wukasa, Turn the Tables, as well as Scottish comedy legend Elaine C Smith, and some motivation and fitness tips from Mr Motivator, Al Kellock from the Scottish Rugby Union and Track cyclist Shanaze Reade.
**Pics free to use**
SIR CHRIS HOY JOINS HUNDREDS OF CYCLISTS TO HELP RAISE OVER £700,000 TO BUILD TWO NEW VILLAGES FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESSOlympic hero cycles with fellow riders on 60-mile route from Glasgow to Edinburgh to support Social Bite‘Break the Cycle’ campaign will help fund two new villages in Glasgow and London
Sir Chris Hoy led the way today (Sunday 5 September) as he joined hundreds of other cyclists on a charity cycle from Glasgow to Edinburgh to raise money to help build two new villages for people experiencing homelessness.The Olympic legend completed the 60-mile route to support Social Bite’s ‘Break the Cycle’ campaign which has so far raised over £700,000 as it aims to fund the creation of two new Social Bite Villages in Glasgow and London.The cyclists set off from the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and pedalled through to the finish line in Edinburgh, near the Social Bite Village in Granton on Sunday, September 5.Each of the participating cyclists fundraised since the campaign launched earlier this year, with entrants having access to a host of special prizes, including naming a house at one of the new villages and a signed medal from Sir Chris. Amongst the 540 participants was former Scotland Rugby player, John Barclay, as well as residents and staff from the Social Bite Village in Edinburgh. TV fitness guru, Mr Motivator, was also on hand to warm the cyclists up on the start line and welcome them over the finish line at the end of their journey.Josh Littlejohn MBE, CEO and Co-Founder of Social Bite, who also completed the cycle, said: “It’s fantastic to have the opportunity to cycle alongside a sporting hero like Sir Chris and the hundreds of other passionate supporters that completed the route alongside us.“Having so many people support the cause is incredibly humbling and Sir Chris’ backing of this campaign has been a major boost in our efforts to raise money for two new villages for people in a situation of homelessness. “We’re working very hard behind the scenes on the plans for two further Social Bite Villages in not just London and Glasgow but other major cities as well, and the money from Break the Cycle will help turn these plans into a reality. We’re all very grateful to all of our supporters and partners who have helped push the campaign forward.”As well as the charity cycle, the fundraising campaign has been open to all levels of fitness and ability, with people across the UK taking part in virtual challenges since March to raise money.Challenges have ranged from long distance challenges, through to different exercise routines depending on what suited people best.Sir Chris Hoy said: “I’ve been a huge supporter of Social Bite and the incredible work it does for a number of years now.“I’ve seen the positive impact the charity has on so many people’s lives and I’m really thankful to everyone who has been able to support the Break the Cycle campaign so far.“It was fantastic to meet all the other cyclists and join them for the ride which will make such a difference to the lives of people experiencing homelessness.”Since opening in July 2018, Social Bite’s Edinburgh village in partnership with Cyrenians has helped 43 people find their feet again, 100% of the residents in a recent survey preferred living at the Social Bite Village over Hostels or B&Bs.The village offers a supportive community to help people build an independent life, with the village blueprint offering an alternative to how society responds to homelessness.Money raised from the Break the Cycle campaign will go towards creating the two highly supported communities with the pro bono help of engineering firm Arup. 10% of funds raised from the event will also be donated to SAMH, the Scottish Association for Mental Health and further funds will be invested in Social Bite’s mission to Break the Cycle of homelessness by providing food, employment opportunities, and housing projects.To find our more or donate, please visit: breakthecycle.co.ukENDSFor more information please email socialbite@stripecommunications or call Fraser Clarke on 07582 453633.NOTES TO EDITORS:About Social BiteSocial Bite started as a small sandwich shop on Rose Street in Edinburgh in August 2012 and has now grown to a major driving force in tackling homelessness in Scotland and further afield.One in 4 of Social Bite’s staff have a background of homelessness and the charity has received visits from Hollywood superstars Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney.Social Bite is the largest distributor of free fresh food to the homeless in the UK, giving out more than 140,000 items of food and hot drinks per year. In response to the recent pandemic, more than 800,000 emergency food packs and essential items were distributed.Social Bite’s 2017 and 2018 Sleep in Park events in Scotland raised almost £8million and saw more than 18,000 people sleeping out.With funds raised from Sleep in the Park events, The Social Bite Village was built in May 2018 and 43 people have since been housed in the bespoke accommodation. The charity also launched a nationwide program to bring 830 rough sleepers of the streets into their own accommodation with support. More than 530 people have now been housed and counting.In 2019, the charity’s founder Josh Littlejohn MBE created The World’s Big Sleepout, which was a global campaign to raise awareness of homelessness. The campaign saw 60,000 members of the public Sleepout in 52 cities all over the world and was supported by Will Smith and Dame Helen Mirren.The Social Bite Fund (SC045232) is a registered charity in Scotland on a mission to end homelessness through innovative housing solutions and, pioneering employment and support programmes.
Oi Norman, CEO at itison, said:“Homelessness is an epidemic, and with circumstances becoming more challenging for everyone across the UK, unfortunately it is affecting more people and families than ever.
“That’s why these types of fundraising activities are so essential, and to continue supporting Social Bite in its mission to end homelessness is so close to our hearts at itison.
“We hope that by offering this deal on our site we are able to encourage more people than ever to get involved, donate and have some fun. It’s not every day you get to meet legends such as Sir Chris Hoy, never mind being entertained by the likes of Elaine C Smith – plus who doesn’t love an excuse to wear that much lycra!”
Josh Littlejohn, co-founder of Social Bite, added: “itison has always championed our cause, and with their help, we have been able to build our Social Bite Village in Edinburgh, deliver thousands of meals to the most vulnerable in our society, and help to begin to break the cycle of homelessness which so often is rooted in poverty and trauma.
“With this latest offer from itison on their deals site, we will be able to further expand the work we do across Scotland and further afield, while offering our supporters a great day out for the whole family.”
Donate £5 for your chance to win via itison. The lucky winners will be announced on Friday 2nd September.
100 per cent of money raised will be donated to Social Bite. Multiple donations and gifting of donations permitted. Each £5 entitles you to an entry.
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