Social Bite's Christmas dinner appeal launched by George Clooney has been bought over 33,000 times online
A Scottish charity campaign raised over £165,000 in just over 24 hours after being launched by none other than George Clooney.
The Hollywood movie star kickstarted Social Bite café’s £5 Christmas dinner appeal by donating the first £5 in a video message (below) published yesterday by the social enterprise.
Since 8.30am yesterday over 33,000 people have donated £5 via deals website itison.com meaning over £165,000 has been raised.
Those who donate £5 are given the option of where there money goes. It will either be used by Social Bite to buy a meal for a homeless person in Scotland or be put towards a convoy of Social Bite vans which is leaving on 26 December with food and winter essentials to refugee camps in Calais, the Serbia/Croatia border, and Lesbos.
The breakdown of donations so far has meant Social Bite will be able to provide 10,850 food and clothing packs for the refugees and 23,250 meals for the homeless, to feed people at Christmas and into 2016.
Last year 36,000 took part in a similar campaign but with this year’s still going strong it looks like it will be even more successful.
Josh Littlejohn, co-founder of Social Bite, said: “What an amazing 24 hours.
“The generosity and spirit of the Scottish public has blown us away.
“Thank you for your incredible support. Let's keep pushing today.”
George Clooney became involved in the campaign after visiting Social Bite while in Edinburgh last month.
The video filmed of himself donating the first £5 was taken on a member of staff’s iPhone.
In it Clooney, wearing his trademark dark suit, says: "I'm giving £5 to pay it forward at Social Bite. I hope you do to."
He is not the only well known face to back the campaign though. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy, Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, comedian Rob Brydon, broadcaster Chris Evans, and Scotland football manager Gordon Strachan have also pledged their support.
Donations to either or both causes can be made at itison.com.
