Over 540 restaurants team up with StreetSmart to support the homeless

Over 540 restaurants have signed up to support StreetSmart’s annual campaign to raise funds for homeless people.

The campaign starts today (1 November) and is held throughout November and December.

It urges diners to donate £1 per table when visiting restaurants, pubs and hotels taking part in the scheme.

Some of this year’s participating restaurants include the Fat Duck in Bray, the River Cafe in London’s Hammersmith, Trattoria Brutto in London’s Clerkenwell and the D&D London and MEATliquor restaurant groups.

Endo at Rotunda, Manteca and Cavita in London, Mana in Manchester, the Palmerston in Edinburgh and Carters of Moseley in Birmingham have joined StreetSmart’s campaign for the first time.

Chef Jeremy Lee from Quo Vadis in London’s Soho, a supporter of the scheme, said: “StreetSmart’s secret is that it's dead simple. Today we can feel far too busy and serious to do anything, but with this tiny effort you can end up with a large lump sum after Christmas. It's a small gesture for a big problem.”

Adam and Natasha Stokes from Adams Restaurant in Birmingham, added: “Being based in the centre of Birmingham we see first-hand the effects of homelessness. The past 24 months has been devastating for so many, which has only created more need for these vital funds. Everyone deserves to live in a safe and stable home.”

Chef Monica Galetti, ambassador of StreetSmart, commented: “Anything we can do to alleviate the pain of homelessness is worthwhile. With StreetSmart it is so easy and 100% of the money goes direct to people most in need.”

StreetSmart was founded in 1998 and has since raised over £11.2m from operating in 24 cities across the UK, including Bristol, Cambridge, Leeds, Newcastle, Oxford and Lancashire.

Over 50 homelessness charities receive these funds each year, which support the creation of beds, soup kitchens and the provision of mental health, training and job services.

All the money raised goes directly to those in need as a result of StreetSmart’s charity partnership with LandAid, which covers the costs of the campaign.