​Hollywood star backs new initiative supporting homeless people across Scotland

George Clooney’s charitable backing is set to continue after the Hollywood A-lister endorsed a new social venture.

The Ocean’s Eleven star endorsed a new partnership between Social Bite and Edinburgh’s newly refurbished George Hotel which will raise thousands of pounds for homeless people across Scotland.

The George Hotel – along with its four sister hotels The Roxburghe and The Bonham in Edinburgh and Blythswood Square and Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow – will be raising money for the charity over the course of the next year.

Each of the venues’ restaurants will add a voluntary donation of £1 to bills throughout the winter in support of the remarkable chain of sandwich shops.

Oscar-winner Clooney took time out from his hectic schedule to leave a message in the hotel’s guestbook to commemorate the start of the new initiative.

It’s fantastic to join forces with these five hotels and their restaurants - Josh Littlejohn

Last week Clooney visited Social Bite’s Rose Street shop after being invited to visit by co-founder Josh Littlejohn.

The sandwich and coffee shop chain supports homeless people by ploughing profits back into homeless initiatives as well as giving homeless people employment and training opportunities in its premises in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.

Littlejohn said: “It’s fantastic to join forces with these five hotels and their restaurants as they team up with us on our mission to help other people, including the thousands of Scots who currently are homeless.

"Every single penny of the funds these venues raise will be donated to good causes that we are passionate about supporting.

“Having George Clooney visit our Edinburgh sandwich shop was an incredibly exciting time for Social Bite and it’s great to see so much support flooding in from businesses on our doorstep.

“We were thrilled that The George Hotel worked so hard to make their best suite ready in time for his arrival.

“We’re looking forward to working with each of the hotels and restaurants throughout the coming year.”

Laurie Nicol, regional operations director for Scotland for Principal Hayley Hotels, said: “As part of our pledge, our five hotels and restaurants across Scotland will add a voluntary £1 to each restaurant bill which will be donated directly to Social Bite.

"We are huge fans of Social Bite and we hope that with our help – and that of our customers – the charity will continue to grow in 2016.”