All faiths back the initiative

Faith leaders in Scotland have given their support for The World’s Big Sleep Out in a bid to eradicate homelessness across the globe.

The World’s Big Sleep Out has its roots in Scotland, with the first sleep out in Edinburgh in 2016 organised by Social Bite’s co-founder Josh Littlejohn.

A mass sleep out will take place on the evening of Saturday 7th December at West Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, one of 48 events around the world.

The aim is for tens of thousands of people to sleep out all over the world and to raise millions of pounds globally for charities tackling local homelessness.

Leaders from different faith communities in Scotland, united by the injustice of homelessness, have lent their support to The World’s Big Sleep Out.

Through their leadership of faith communities, they represent hundreds of thousands of people in Scotland and have put their support behind the movement, encouraging members of their communities to take part in the fundraising.

Littlejohn said: “It’s uplifting to see the faith leaders of Scotland coming together. To tackle homelessness, we need operate collectively, with each faith community bringing its passion for social justice and social capital. The World’s Big Sleep Out has its inspiration in Scotland, so it’s fantastic to have the support of its faith leaders.”

Iain Stewart, director, Edinburgh Interfaith Association, said: “At the heart of all faith communities is a commitment to building a more compassionate fairer world, free of poverty and social injustice. A world where no one should have to be homeless and live without shelter, food and warmth. As members of the Edinburgh Interfaith Association we fully support the World’s Big Sleep Out and hope that this event can energise societies across the world to take action to put an end to homelessness.”