Executives raising funds for homeless

Almost 300 senior business people last night slept rough in Edinburgh with the aim of raising between £500,000 and £1 million for the homeless.

The CEO sleepout in Charlotte Square was organised by Social Bite, the restaurant chain started by Josh Littlejohn who wants to build a 10-home village for the homeless at Granton.

Buskers and comedians entertained the gathering along with Olympic gold winning cyclist Sir Chris Hoy.

Zoe Cuthbert, event manager, said: “It has all gone very smoothly and everyone was in a nice Christmassy mood.

“It’s nice to see so many people wanting to do something for those less fortunate.”

Sir Chris added: “It takes a lot to get me to give up my bed but the Social Bite Village is an extremely worthwhile cause.

“Social Bite is being bold in trying to show how the cycle of homelessness can be broken, by giving people support and stability, and that’s something that I’m keen to back.

“Sleeping rough for one night might just be a small gesture but the money raised will go to kick-start the fundraising for this extraordinary project.”

> Interview with Josh Littlejohn