Aberdeen FC’s manager, Derek McInnes, will swap the dugout for Social Bite’s sleepout this December when he takes to the stage to read participants a bedtime story. The event, taking place in the city’s Duthie Park on Saturday December 8 will see thousands of people sleep out in the cold to raise money for the city’s homeless.

McInnes will read a bedtime story of his choosing to the attendees before they unroll their sleeping bags and bed down for the night. At the same time in Edinburgh, Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh will read a story he’s written for the event and in Glasgow, award-winning author Loki will do the same.

Other Aberdeen personnel getting behind the event will be Chairman of the club Stewart Milne CBE, Chief Executive Duncan Fraser, Director Duncan Skinner and first team player Mark Reynolds who will all take part in the sleepout as participants.

Organised by Scottish charity Social Bite, the Aberdeen event is one of four Sleep in the Park sleepouts taking place in different Scottish cities on the same night. In total, it is hoped that 12,000 people will sleep out in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow, raising £6million.

Money raised will be used to help combat homelessness and will be invested locally to support homeless people make the transition to traditional housing. Amy Macdonald and KT Tunstall will play at each of the four events and will start their night’s journey in Aberdeen.

Describing his reasons for supporting Sleep in the Park, Aberdeen Manager Derek McInnes said: “As a club at the heart of our community it is an honour to have been asked to read the bedtime story at the Social Bite Sleep in the Park event.

“Everyone at Aberdeen FC are all determined to play their part in helping to end homelessness in Aberdeen and it will be a pleasure to read to all the participants before they settle down for the night.”

Last year saw 8,000 people come together in Edinburgh’s city centre on the coldest night of the year, with some of Scotland’s most respected sports people, religious leaders and political figures all enduring the freezing temperatures to raise a total of £4million for the cause.

Members of the public can join Sleep in the Park 2018 by committing to raise £100. Businesses can sponsor the event by signing up a team of five with a minimum fundraising commitment of £3,000.