FIFTY senior pupils and staff from Musselburgh Grammar School will brave the big chill in the World’s Biggest Sleep Out as they call for an end to global homelessness.

They will join 50,000 people on Saturday, December 7, to raise a target of $50 million for homelessness and refugee causes worldwide.

Flagship fundraising sleep out events take place in Times Square, New York, and Trafalgar Square, London, along with a target of at least 50 other towns and cities.

The Musselburgh team will link up with about 8,000 supporters at the sleep out at Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens, where the school’s efforts last year raised nearly £5,000 for Social Bite’s campaign to end homelessness over a five-year period by providing people with housing, rehabilitation, job opportunities and the support needed to get back on their feet.

The bedtime story will be read by Scots actor and comedian Gregor Fisher, whose counterpart in London is award-winning actress Dame Helen Mirren, and in New York Hollywood A-lister Will Smith. Edinburgh’s event also features Game of Thrones star Daniel Portman, singer/songwriter Angie McMahon and the Salvation Army Choir.

The World’s Big Sleep Out trust has been established by Social Bite’s co-founder Josh Littlejohn to bring the Sleep in the Park concept worldwide. Three-hundred people took part in the 2016 CEO sleep out, 8,000 in the 2017 Sleep in the Park, growing to 10,000 in 2018.

English teacher Laura Hepburn, Musselburgh Grammar’s co-organiser, said: “We’re really proud of our senior pupils as so many of them expressed an interest in supporting this event which aims to raise funds and awareness for those experiencing homelessness or displacement in Scotland and across the globe.”

History/modern studies teacher Matthew Gray, co-organiser, added: “To be able to raise money to help end homelessness in Scotland and beyond is incredibly important to our group and our supporters.

“We were inspired by our involvement last year, particularly the night of the sleep out itself where we heard from people who had been supported by Social Bite’s various initiatives to help them escape a cycle of homelessness.

“The experience of participating in large-scale collective action aimed at improving the world around us is something that will continue to motivate our participation in the future.

“Last year we raised nearly £5,000 and would love to eclipse that this year. However, to do that we need support.”

To support Musselburgh Grammar’s fundraising, go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/musselburgh-grammar