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The voice of Scotland’s vibrant voluntary sector

Published by Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

TFN is published by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6BB. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registration number SC003558.

Bus firm backs charity sleepout

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The Stagecoach Group will be providing free travel to Sleep in the Park

A transport provider is the latest company to get on board with this year’s Sleep in the Park event.

The Stagecoach Group - the bus, train and tram company - has agreed to provide a large number of free seats to fundraisers travelling to Edinburgh for the world’s largest sleepout on Saturday 9 December.

The event, organised by Social Bite co-founder Josh Littlejohn MBE, aims to raise £4 million and catalyse a movement to eradicate homelessness in Scotland within a five-year period.

Stagecoach bus companies, Stagecoach East Scotland and Scottish Citylink, will be providing the seats on services from 11 different locations to the event that will be held in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh.

Ticketholders for the event will be able to book seats on Stagecoach East Scotland X56 services between Perth, Bridge of Earn, Milnathort, Kinross, Halbeath Park & Ride, Ferrytoll Park & Ride to Edinburgh or on Scottish Citylink 900 services between Glasgow, Baillieston, Maxim Park – Eurocentral and Harthill to Edinburgh. Tickets are free, however the usual delivery fees apply.

Stagecoach Group chairman and co-founder, Sir Brian Souter said: “We are really excited to be able to help such an important cause in this way. This event is growing each year and is part of a fantastic movement to help eradicate homelessness in Scotland. By offering free travel, we hope that participants will be able to maximise their donations to this great cause.”

The event will take place in Edinburgh’s West Princess Street Gardens and will feature a live concert with stripped back, acoustic performances from Liam Gallagher, Deacon Blue, Amy Macdonald and Frightened Rabbit. The artists will play exclusive ‘unplugged’ sets before participants bed down for a cold night in the open.

Comedian Rob Brydon will be hosting the event, John Cleese will be performing a special bedtime story and attendees will also hear from Sir Bob Geldof on his support for the cause. Sir Bob will also be joining participants and sleeping out with a host of other celebrities, sports personalities and figures from across Scotland’s political parties.

Members of the public can join Sleep in the Park by committing to fundraising at least £100. Businesses can sponsor the event by signing up a team of five with a minimum fundraising commitment of £3,000.