AN annual fundraiser to buy a meal for a homeless person or a gift for families affected by homelessness this Christmas has been launched.

Offer website itison will ask its customers to pay £5 for donations to Social Bite from tomorrow.

Last year, over 90, 000 meals were donated and it is hoped a 100,000 target raising over £500,000 will be achieved.

The campaign will also extend to Manchester and Newcastle.

Oli Norman, CEO at itison said: “Every year we’re blown away by the generosity of our members – it’s just incredible. We can’t stress enough how powerful this campaign has been since it started – the mission is to end homelessness in Scotland within five years and with your help, Social Bite is getting closer and closer to that goal.”

He added: "We’re also extending our fundraisers for the first time to Manchester and Newcastle – we have offices in both cities and like Scotland, homelessness is a major issue. We’re teaming up with Social Bite and two great charities – The Greater Manchester Mayor’s Homelessness Fund and Changing Lives – to help provide meals and respite at one of the toughest times of the year for those affected by homelessness.”

In Scotland, Social Bite’s Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen cafes will open their doors to the homeless on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to serve Christmas dinners with all the trimmings, offering food and company at what is one of the loneliest times of the year for many.

By donating £5 (100% of which goes to charity) you can buy a meal for a homeless person or a Christmas gift for children, families and individuals affected by homelessness to make sure they have a present to open on Christmas Day.

In addition to allowing Social Bite to provide meals for the homeless throughout the entire year in all their cafes, itison’s annual Christmas fundraiser has also played an integral part in the development of the Social Bite Village which launched in May 2018. The Social Bite Village provides an innovative housing model, and a supported and nurturing environment for 20 people at a time to transition from homelessness back in to society.

To donate £5 to buy a Christmas dinner for a homeless person or give a Christmas gift – visit www.itison.com/donate (it makes a great Secret Santa gift or stocking filler too!)

100% of money raised will be donated to Social Bite, The Greater Manchester Mayor’s Homelessness Fund and Changing Lives - all donations will go directly to the city or region you’re donating in.