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

Sir Chris Hoy joins Social Bite to break the cycle of homelessness

Sir Chris Hoy has teamed up with Social Bite to raise £1m for the creation of two villages for homeless people. He wants you to get involved.

Sir Chris Hoy has teamed up with Scottish charity Social Bite to help raise £1m for the construction of two purpose-built villages to house people experiencing homelessness – and he wants you to get on your bike and join the campaign.  

The Olympic hero is set to lead 1,000 cyclists on a fundraising ride from Glasgow to Edinburgh for the Break The Cycle event, which aims to raise £1 million.

“I have seen the impact of the funds raised and I am passionate about supporting the bold approach to breaking the cycle of homelessness,” said Hoy.

“I know times have been incredibly tough of late but I’d encourage everyone to get involved and help raise the funds needed for this extraordinary project.”

Support The Big Issue and our vendors by signing up for a subscription.

Each participant will be asked to pledge to raise £1,000 before they take on the 60-mile challenge on September 5.

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

It will set off from the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow and finish near the flagship Social Bite Village in Granton, Edinburgh.

The cyclists involved will have the opportunity to win a range of prizes, including the naming of one of the homes in the new villages, which are planned for Glasgow and London.

Since the first Social Bite Village launched in 2018, the charity has been able to support and provide accommodation for 39 residents, helping many go on to find a permanent home.

Sir Chris Hoy is no stranger to Social Bite and has been involved regularly in the charity’s Sleep in The Park event, which has seen more than 18,000 people sleeping outside.

The founder of Social Bite, Josh Littlejohn said: “Sir Chris has been an advocate of the work we do for some time and when we came up with the Break the Cycle concept, we knew there was only one person we wanted to partner with.”

Littlejohn said that due to the success of the Granton village, the “ambition is to build more”.

Break the cycle, Edinburgh, Scotland, 10/03/21
left to right) Sir Chis Hoy MBE joins Josh Littlejohn, co-founder of Social Bite, at the charity's first village project in Edinburgh, to launch Break the Cycle, which is a 60-mile bike ride that’s been set up to fundraise £1m to help build a further two villages projects for people experiencing homelessness in target cities of Glasgow and London. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday March 10, 2021. The event will take place on Sunday September 5, with Sir Chris joining 1,000 cyclists as they travel from Glasgow to Edinburgh, with each participant required to raise £1,000 in order to take part. The fundraising campaign will also be open to people right across the UK, encouraging them to take part in sponsored virtual challenges in the run up to the bike ride later this year. Photo credit should read: Euan Cherry/PA Wire

He added: “The money that we manage to raise from this fundraising campaign will allow these plans to become a reality and enable us to develop communities that will have a transformative impact on people’s lives.”

For those that don’t fancy the long cycle, Break The Cycle is also open to anyone to get involved virtually, whether it be a 60-mile cycle or 60 minutes of exercise.

Families, friends, school pupils and the workplace are all encouraged to pick a challenge and get sponsored.

Ten percent of the funds raised will be donated to SAMH (the Scottish Association for Mental Health).

Sir Chris Hoy said: “I look forward to seeing those taking part at the starting line.”

To find out more or donate, visit: breakthecycle.co.uk

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

READER-SUPPORTED SINCE 1991

Reader-supported journalism that doesn’t just report problems, it helps solve them.

Recommended for you

View all
One mum's months-long ordeal to find out how her son died in a homeless hostel: 'I need answers'
Former Big Issue vendor Richard Sanders
Homelessness

One mum's months-long ordeal to find out how her son died in a homeless hostel: 'I need answers'

DWP job coaches will soon be in GP surgeries and mental health services
two people on chairs having a discussion. a form is in the centre
Department for Work and Pensions

DWP job coaches will soon be in GP surgeries and mental health services

More than £4bn in benefits will go unclaimed in London this year: 'Too many people miss out'
Benefits

More than £4bn in benefits will go unclaimed in London this year: 'Too many people miss out'

Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie: 'It was hard to get artists to take part in Gig for Gaza'
Bobby Gillespie
Music

Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie: 'It was hard to get artists to take part in Gig for Gaza'