Glasgow Warriors to support Social Bite ‘Break the Cycle’ campaign

Glasgow Warriors Managing Director Al Kellock will join Scottish sporting legend Sir Chris Hoy for the second annual 'Break The Cycle' campaign, run by leading Scottish charity Social Bite.

Run for the first time in 2021, the campaign aims to raise £1m to fund vital projects to end homelessness.

Participants are invited to make the 60-mile cycle from Glasgow to Edinburgh with the goal of raising significant funds to support its movement to end homelessness.

This year also sees the introduction of new 20-mile and 3-mile cycle routes, to ensure there’s opportunities for all ages and abilities to get involved – from experienced cyclists, through to families looking to have a great day out while doing their bit for the charitable cause.

The Break the Cycle event will take place on Sunday 4 September, with Kellock and Hoy leading the charge and riding from Glasgow to Edinburgh.

Participants can sign up to one of two teams; ‘Team Hoy’ wil set off on the 60-mile cycle with Sir Chris Hoy from the Velodrome that bears his name in Glasgow’s East End, where participants will be warmed-up by a legendary fitness guru; whilst ‘Team Tom Smith’, captained by Al Kellock and joined by rugby stars of yesteryear, will set off from Scotstoun Stadium and ride across the city to join an expected 1,000 participants in the cycling challenge to Edinburgh.

Ten per cent of all fundraising from Team Tom Smith will be donated to a trust that has been set up by the Scottish Rugby community in aid of Tom Smith’s family, after the former Scotland and British & Irish Lions prop tragically passed away in April 2022.

The route will finish at the home of Scottish Rugby, BT Murrayfield Stadium, where fundraisers, along with their friends and families, will enjoy performances from a range of local acts as well as refreshments from some of the country’s top food and drinks establishments.

As well as the physical event in September, there’s the opportunity to show your support by taking on your own 60-mile challenges to raise money, as the virtual challenges can be designed to suit each individual, using any mode or method.

Josh Littlejohn MBE, CEO and Co-Founder of Social Bite, said: “Break the Cycle is back this year, bigger and better and thrilled to have Sir Chris and Al on board to once again help us raise much-needed funds to break the cycle of homelessness.

“The funds raised at Break the Cycle will help us support people across the country who have experienced homelessness, whether that’s through supporting people to find a safe place to call home, empowering people to get a job, or by providing free, fresh food to people who are homeless or in food poverty.”

“With our new routes this year, the support of our famous faces getting involved, and what promises to be a real festival feel at the finish line at BT Murrayfield, we’re in for a really exciting event. Sign up to join this year’s Break the Cycle to raise vital funds to end homelessness.”

Sir Chris Hoy said: “I’ve been a proud supporter of Social Bite for a number of years now, from the very first sleep-out event in 2016 through to the first Break the Cycle event last year.

“The work they do is inspiring and has such a positive impact on so many people’s lives so it’s always great to help out in whatever way I can.”

“I had great fun in 2021 cycling with all the other fundraisers and can’t wait to return again this September for what promises to be an even bigger and better event for a great cause.”

Al Kellock said: “I’m thrilled that myself and Glasgow Warriors are supporting Social Bite with its Break the Cycle campaign which does so much to help support people who need it most.

“I would encourage Scottish Rugby fans to join me in setting off from Scotstoun Stadium all the way to BT Murrayfield and I’m really looking forward to raising as much money as possible for the cause as well as supporting the creation of a trust for Tom Smith’s family after his tragic passing.”