As part of our commitment to our Corporate Social Responsibility, our 2020 focus was on those sleeping rough and struggling families in temporary accommodation, all of whom, we are advised, are also especially vulnerable to the effects of the current COVID-19 virus, with many suffering from pre-existing health conditions, having nowhere to wash their hands, and those put up in shared emergency housing struggling to self-isolate if they need to.
Our strong belief continues that, with the severe impact charities are facing during these difficult times, it is vitally important to ensure donations continue to reach our chosen charities. We are therefore delighted to continue our charitable giving partnership from 2020 with Social Bite, donating a further £5000 to assist their great work.
Since March last year, Social Bite has provided over one million free food packs, meals and essential items to people most in need throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. In December 2020, it launched its Festival of Kindness campaign. In Scotland alone the charity provided thousands of Christmas dinners for homeless people, distributed 40,000 gifts and essential items to individuals and families in need, and funded a whole month’s worth of emergency support for rough sleepers in hotel accommodation in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
This year, it has launched a brand new campaign with Sir Chris Hoy, called Break the Cycle and they’re inviting you to join them as they race to raise a £1million to help create two new Social Bite Villages in the UK, aiming to build them in Glasgow and London. Break the Cycle is a charity cycling event and there are 1,000 places available to join Sir Chris and cycle 60 miles on 5th September, from the Glasgow Velodrome, across Scotland’s central belt and finishing close to the flagship Social Bite Village in Edinburgh. As well as the live event, the charity is encouraging the nation to take part in virtual challenges to help break the cycle of homelessness. From now until September, you can take part in a physical challenge of your choice and raise funds to help people affected by homelessness.
If you’d like to sign up to the Live event and cycle the 60 miles with Sir Chris Hoy on the 5th September, visit: https://www.breakthecycle.co.uk/take-part/
If you’d like to take part in your own virtual challenge and help Sir Chris and Social Bite on their mission to end homelessness, visit: https://www.breakthecycle.co.uk/virtual-challenge/
Social Bite’s Head of Partnerships, Sara Rees said:
“We’re thrilled to receive this donation from Hacking & Paterson. It’s continued support like this that allows us to provide immediate relief to those in need, but also fund the programmes we run to help end homelessness altogether. Furthermore, this couldn’t come at a better time as we launch our latest campaign Break the Cycle with Sir Chris Hoy, which aims to build two new Social Bite Villages. We’re so grateful for your contribution and really look forward to working with Hacking & Paterson more in 2021. From all of us at Social Bite, and those who we support, a huge thank you.”
