Specially Selected Pork Supports Social Bite’s CEO Sleep-out

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon served up Specially Selected Pork rolls this morning (16 December 2016) to participants of the Social Bite CEO Sleep-out.

Quality Meat Scotland’s Chief Executive Uel Morton joined more than 300 industry leaders, sports people and politicians to spend the night in Charlotte Square, Edinburgh.

The group bedded down from 7pm and stayed overnight until 7am with only a sleeping bag and umbrella to see them through the cold winter night. Britain’s greatest ever Olympian Sir Chris Hoy also braved the elements for the worthy cause.

All participants were raising money to build the country's first village for the homeless, in the city's Granton area.

The Social Bite Village project has a fundraising target of £500,000 and aims to house up to 20 homeless people in a purpose-built, safe living environment for about 12 months each, from summer 2017.

Mr Morton said that he was pleased to have been asked to join the sleep-out and help kick off funding for such a worthwhile project.

“The sleep-out was not only a humbling experience but it forced us all to experience first-hand what it is like for hundreds of homeless people in Scotland - day in, day out.

“We were delighted to organise the bacon for today, which was supplied by Robertson’s Fine Foods, and I hope our fundraising efforts go some way to help fund a long-term solution to homelessness.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "Tackling homelessness is a priority for the Scottish government and we collaborate closely with local government and a range of national and local partners to work towards ensuring everyone has access to a warm and safe place to stay.

"Social Bite has done incredible work to help homeless people in Scotland by giving them the opportunity to work in their cafes and restaurants. The money raised from this event will go towards their groundbreaking new homeless village which will help break the cycle of homelessness.”

To donate to the Social Bite Village project, please click here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/socialbitevillage