GameChanger – the public social partnership between Hibernian FC, Hibernian Community Foundation and NHS Lothian – has launched an appeal to buy good quality sleeping bags to help keep those unfortunate enough to be sleeping rough on the streets of Edinburgh warm this winter.
The appeal, part of the Edinburgh Cheer campaign, is being backed by Network Rail and Carillion Waverley Station Improvements team, which will provide the first 50 sleeping bags. GameChanger is working with a number of third-sector organisations who work with the homeless, including Cyrenians, Streetwork, Bethany Christian Trust and Destiny Angels, to help ensure the sleeping bags, which are effective at cold temperatures, get to those who need them.
Now the appeal has been thrown open to the public to help raise funds to provide as many bags as possible.
Ewan Aitken, Chief Executive of Cyrenians, said: “While the long term aspiration must always be to work towards ending the situation where people sleep rough on the streets, we also need to think of the short term. People are cold now – today and tonight – and we need to do what we can to keep people warm and safe. We are delighted to work with GameChanger on this appeal.”
William Jack of Network Rail added: “We are delighted to play our part in supporting the Edinburgh Cheer campaign, particularly at this time of year. Our team at Waverley is regularly confronted with the challenges of homelessness and mental health. While many of us are planning celebrations with friends and families, others are lonely and cold on our streets, looking for shelter and personal contact.
Helping launch the appeal today, Hibernian star Efe Ambrose said: “I am really pleased the Club is working to provide a better Christmas for many people this year, and few people need our help more at this time of year than those forced to sleep rough.”
If you want to support this campaign, you can visit the GameChanger BT MyDonate page by clicking the link.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
