TWO SCOTS sporting stars are coming together to support a charity campaign to provide jobs, homes and food for homeless people.
Famed cyclist Sir Chris Hoy and former Scotland rugby captain Al Kellock will be backing Social Bite’s Break the Cycle campaign.
Hoy and Kellock will be donning lycra as Social Bite once again launches its Break the Cycle campaign to raise £1m to fund vital projects to end homelessness.
Following their first event last year, participants are invited this year to make the 60-mile cycle from Glasgow to Edinburgh with the goal of raising significant funds to support its movement to end homelessness.
This year also sees the introduction of new 20-mile and 3-mile cycle routes, to ensure opportunities for all ages and abilities – from experienced cyclists through to families.
The Break the Cycle event will take place on Sunday 4th September, with the two Scots sportsmen leading the charge and riding from Glasgow to Edinburgh.
Participants can sign up to “Team Hoy” and set off on the 60-mile cycle with Sir Chris Hoy from the Velodrome.
Rugby fans can sign up to “Team Tom Smith” captained by Al Kellock, and joined by other big rugby names to set off from Glasgow Warrior’s Scotstoun stadium and ride across the city to join an expected 1,000 participants in the cycling challenge to Edinburgh.
10% of all fundraising from this team will be donated to a trust that has been set up by the Scottish Rugby community in aid of Tom Smith’s family, after the former Scotland and British & Irish Lions prop passed away in April 2022.
The route will finish at BT Murrayfield Stadium, where fundraisers can enjoy performances from a range of local acts as well as refreshments.
Josh Littlejohn MBE, CEO and co-founder of Social Bite, said: “Break the Cycle is back this year, bigger and better and thrilled to have Sir Chris and Al on board to once again help us raise much-needed funds to break the cycle of homelessness.
“The funds raised at Break the Cycle will help us support people across the country who have experienced homelessness, whether that’s through supporting people to find a safe place to call home, empowering people to get a job, or by providing free, fresh food to people who are homeless or in food poverty.
“With our new routes this year, the support of our famous faces getting involved, and what promises to be a real festival feel at the finish line at BT Murrayfield, we’re in for a really exciting event.”
Sir Chris Hoy said: “I’ve been a proud supporter of Social Bite for a number of years now, from the very first sleep-out event in 2016 through to the first Break the Cycle event last year.
“The work they do is inspiring and has such a positive impact on so many people’s lives so it’s always great to help out in whatever way I can.
“I had great fun in 2021 cycling with all the other fundraisers and can’t wait to return again this September for what promises to be an even bigger and better event for a great cause.”
Al Kellock said: “I’m thrilled that myself and Glasgow Warriors are supporting Social Bite with its Break the Cycle campaign which does so much to help support people who need it most.
“I would encourage Scottish Rugby fans to join me in setting off from Scotstoun Stadium all the way to BT Murrayfield.
“I’m really looking forward to raising as much money as possible for the cause as well as supporting the creation of a trust for Tom Smith’s family after his tragic passing.”
The Social Bite Fund is a registered charity in Scotland on a mission to end homelessness through innovative housing solutions and pioneering employment and support programmes.
Social Bite is the largest distributor of free fresh food to the homeless in the UK, giving out more than 180,000 items of food and hot drinks per year.
Social Bite’s 2017 and 2018 Sleep in Park events in Scotland raised almost £8m 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 accommodation.
To find out more, sign-up, or donate, please visit: breakthecycle.co.uk
