Social Bite sets off to deliver refugee aid across Europe

A fleet of Social Bite vans will set off across Europe on Boxing Day to deliver vital winter aid packs to refugee camps – with a donation of over 20,000 products from Scottish outdoor clothing brand Trespass.

On Boxing Day a fleet of Social Bite vans will be travelling across Europe getting the gear to refugees. Josh Littlejohn (left) and Trespass owner Usman Khushi will be there.

Social Bite’s Christmas video appeal which included messages from a host of celebs including George Clooney, Lorraine Kelly and Chris Evans, received over 65,000 donations in two and a half weeks, with the Scottish public opting to spend 22,545 of those on food parcels for Social Bite’s refugee aid run to Calais, Serbia and Lesbos.

Trespass, matched each donation with a pack of winter clothing and equipment such as hats, scarves, gloves, rain jackets, sleeping bags and tents, with the convoy of fully loaded vans leaving its Kinning Park HQ on Boxing Day.

Trespass have donated winter goods to Social Bite's Xmas campaign. Picture: Handout

Social Bite co-founder Josh Littlejohn said: “We’re so grateful to the board of Trespass for their generosity – thousands of innocent families feeling conflict are enduring freezing temperatures and unimaginable conditions this Christmas and our thanks go them for matching our donations with van loads of quality winter supplies.”

“We’re utterly blown away and humbled by the generosity of everyone who has supported this campaign – we can’t thank them enough. Scotland has shown its heart, we are a nation that cares about others. Thanks to the George Clooney effect we’ve also had donations from all over the world and it’ll go a long way to ensuring people who need our help the most will get it.”

Trespass director Usman Khushi said: “Trespass are delighted to join Social Bite in offering help to those facing an incredibly tough time this Christmas.

“We’d like to thank everyone who bought a voucher and made this wonderful campaign possible.”

Hollywood superstar Clooney kicked-off Social Bite’s innovative campaign with a video message pledging the first £5 and encouraging others to do the same via deals website itison.com.

The campaign launch trended on Facebook and made headlines worldwide before attracting a series of high-profile donations from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy, and comedian Rob Brydon.

The 42,727 donations made for Social Bite’s homeless Christmas dinner, meant that all five of its shops were able to open between Christmas Eve and Christmas day to feed anyone who needed a hot meal and a place to be and share the day with.

The surplus donations will ensure that Social Bite can provide free hot meals and drinks to the homeless community in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen for the rest of the year.