StreetSmart charity 'devastated' as lockdown hits fundraising campaign

The director of the StreetSmart charity says he is ‘devastated’ that this year’s fundraising campaign will be put on hold due to the national lockdown.

From 1 November to 31 December participating restaurants were due to add a voluntary £1 to diners’ bills, which would be used to support those facing homelessness.

More than 450 venues, including Core by Clare Smyth (pictured), and the Barrafina and Ottolenghi groups, had signed up to take part, but they will now have to close for four weeks from 5 November.

Glenn Pougnet, director at StreetSmart, said on Twitter: “The support for StreetSmart this year has been humbling. So many restaurateurs queuing up to do their bit for the homeless even though times are so uncertain and some unnecessary obstacles have been thrown at them.

“We were due to start fundraising this week and, with less than 3% of Covid cases coming via the hospitality route, we had no qualms about urging people to dine out and to simply donate £1 to help raise money for people living on the streets.

“But now that will all be put on hold, the future of so many of our supporters is at risk and we are devastated. I hope the [second] lockdown will be short and that we see our restaurants full in [December], the livelihood of so many depend on it as does the vital funds these heroic people help us raise.”

StreetSmart is still accepting donations via www.justgiving.com/streetsmart or visit streetsmart.org.uk for more information.

The charity has raised more than £10.3m since it was founded in 1998, including £760,000 through the 2019 campaign.