SCOTS are invited to join Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy along a 60-mile cycle to help raise £1 million to battle homelessness.
The six-time Olympic champion is to lead the Break the Cycle campaign which will see UK gym operator PureGym and Scottish charity Social Bite aiming to raise funds to build two new community villages for homeless people.
Members of the public are urged to join in however they can through a range of physical activities with the toughest being a 60-mile trip from Glasgow to Edinburgh with Hoy himself.
The first Social Bite Village was launched in Edinburgh in 2018 and the charity aims to build two more which are planned to be in Glasgow and London.
READ MORE: Skerryvore's manager to set off on 200-mile cycling challenge for charity
Scots can also help out the campaign by joining a 60-minute spin class every Thursday throughout August.
PureGym staff at three Scottish clubs are helping too through a continuous 24-hour "spinathon" on August 25.
Hoy said the campaign will help tackle homelessness while also keeping Scots fit.
He said: “The pandemic has exacerbated the already severe problem of homelessness across the UK, whilst also demonstrating the importance of exercise in protecting the nation’s physical and mental wellbeing.
"I can’t think of a better charitable campaign to support than Social Bite’s Break the Cycle campaign, which will raise funds to help rebuild people’s lives, whilst also improving the health and fitness of the nation.
"We are looking for people across the UK to join in the fight, whether you’re cycling 60 miles or doing 60 minutes of exercise at home you can help us to break the cycle of homelessness.”
Josh Littlejohn MBE, Social Bite co-founder, said: “We are really excited to be teaming up with PureGym. The amazing support of their clubs, colleagues and members will help make two new Social Bite Villages a reality.
READ MORE: Tokyo 2020: Duncan Scott wins gold in freestyle relay final
“Since opening the first Village in Edinburgh, 39 people have been helped with a home and support through the project.
“The money we raise from our Break the Cycle fundraising campaign will enable us to develop communities that will have a transformative impact on people’s lives in two more cities.
We’re so grateful to everyone taking on a challenge – every effort you make and every penny you raise will be helping someone break the cycle of homelessness. Thank you.”
Anyone interested in taking part in the Break the Cycle campaign can sign up at www.breakthecycle.co.uk/take-part
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here