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George Clooney cheered at Edinburgh cafe that helps homeless people George Clooney cheered at Edinburgh cafe that helps homeless people
(about 1 hour later)
The humble Scottish piece – or sandwich – has many fans, who will also gladly express their appreciation for a traditional filling of Lorne sausage or tattie scones. But when an international sophisticate like George Clooney adds his imprimatur, the stakes are somewhat raised.The humble Scottish piece – or sandwich – has many fans, who will also gladly express their appreciation for a traditional filling of Lorne sausage or tattie scones. But when an international sophisticate like George Clooney adds his imprimatur, the stakes are somewhat raised.
An excited crowd had gathered to greet the Hollywood star in Edinburgh on Thursday morning as he visited Social Bite, a sandwich shop that helps homeless people. Fans had braved the wintry chill, waiting since 7am to snatch a glimpse and perhaps a selfie with the actor. An excited crowd had gathered to greet the Hollywood star in Edinburgh on Thursday morning, as he visited Social Bite, a sandwich shop that helps homeless people. Fans braved the wintry chill, waiting since 7am to snatch a glimpse and perhaps a selfie with the actor.
Clooney had accepted an invitation to visit the social enterprise from its founder Josh Littlejohn, who also established the Scottish Business Awards, where the A-lister will address a 2,000-strong audience in the evening. Clooney bought and ate an avocado, pesto and pepper wrap. He also donated £1,000 to Social Bite while in the shop.
Clooney accepted an invitation to visit the social enterprise from its founder, Josh Littlejohn, who also established the Scottish Business awards, where the A-lister will address a 2,000-strong audience in the evening.
Littlejohn has form for securing high-profile guests, having persuaded the former US president Bill Clinton to attend the awards previously.Littlejohn has form for securing high-profile guests, having persuaded the former US president Bill Clinton to attend the awards previously.
Social Bite, which has five shops based in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen and plans to expand across Scotland, donates all its profits to charity, operating a “suspended” coffee and food programme where customers can pay for a hot drink or food for a homeless person. A quarter of its workforce was once homeless. Social Bite, which has five shops based in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen and plans to expand across Scotland, donates all its profits to charity, operating a “suspended” coffee and food programme – where customers can pay for a hot drink or food for a homeless person to have later. A quarter of its workforce was once homeless.
Entering the premises, Clooney refused to be drawn on whether he would choose some old-school haggis, neeps and tatties or a healthier chicken piri piri salad, telling the assembled media: “I’ll see what they’ve got.” Entering the premises, Clooney refused to be drawn on whether he would choose some traditional haggis, neeps and tatties, or a healthier chicken piri piri salad, telling the assembled media: “I’ll see what they’ve got.”
He may be saving his appetite for his lunch date, at a secret location, with 32-year-old wedding planner Heather McGowan, who won a fundraising competition to meet him. He may have been saving his appetite for his lunch date, at a secret location, with 32-year-old wedding planner Heather McGowan, who won a fundraising competition to meet him.
Speaking of Social Bite, Clooney said: “I like what they’re doing, I think it’s a very important cause. I think the idea that we can all participate in everyone’s difficulties is really important.”Speaking of Social Bite, Clooney said: “I like what they’re doing, I think it’s a very important cause. I think the idea that we can all participate in everyone’s difficulties is really important.”
Littlejohn, who was at the shop to welcome his guest, said after he left: “We knew that George is a really committed humanitarian, he has his own charity in Sudan, so we reached out to that charity and invited him over to Scotland. We said we would help fundraise for his charity and invited him to our Social Bite cafe, and to our delight he accepted.”Littlejohn, who was at the shop to welcome his guest, said after he left: “We knew that George is a really committed humanitarian, he has his own charity in Sudan, so we reached out to that charity and invited him over to Scotland. We said we would help fundraise for his charity and invited him to our Social Bite cafe, and to our delight he accepted.”
All proceeds from business awards event, which will be hosted by comedian Rob Brydon, will go towards a range of charities including the Social Bite Fund and the charity Not On Our Watch, co-founded by Clooney with fellow actors Matt Damon and Brad Pitt. All proceeds from the business awards event, which will be hosted by the comedian Rob Brydon, will go towards a range of charities including the Social Bite Fund and the charity Not On Our Watch, co-founded by Clooney with fellow actors Matt Damon and Brad Pitt.