Representatives from Hearts and Hibs will take part in Sleep in the Park
Edinburgh footballing rivals have joined forces in the fight against homelessness.
Hearts and Hibernian will come together on Saturday, 9 December for Sleep in the Park, the UK’s largest ever sleep out.
Raising money for homeless people across Scotland, the clubs will put their historic rivalry to bed for one evening, with representatives from both clubs spending a cold winter’s night in the city centre.
Hearts chairwoman Ann Budge and Hibs counterpart Leeann Dempster met with Social Bite co-founder Josh Littlejohn MBE to show their support, alongside Hibernian’s Simon Murray and Brandon Barker and Hearts’ Aaron Hughes and Gary Locke.
Participants from each club will be announced shortly before the event. Up to 9,000 members of the public are expected to join the sleep out, with 2,000 already signed up to take part.
Littlejohn said: “It is amazing to have the support of two of the biggest football clubs in Scotland and to bring these friendly rivals together for one night. It’s our goal to raise £4 million and eradicate homelessness in a five-year period, investing these funds in housing solutions, addiction support and employment programmes.”
Those taking part in Sleep in the Park will be treated to a spectacular live concert with acoustic performances from Liam Gallagher, Deacon Blue, Amy Macdonald and Frightened Rabbit.
“This is an opportunity for the city of Edinburgh to come together, as shown by the backing of both Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian, and raise funds to help tackle the issue of homelessness,” said Budge.
Dempster said: “Both clubs recognise the value of the work being done to help those less fortunate, and are happy to give our support.”
