StreetSmart smashes £1m fundraising target

StreetSmart has raised over £1m through its annual fundraising campaign for the first time in its 25-year history.

The industry charity that tackles homelessness across the UK raised £1,059,000 from 610 participating restaurants, pubs and hotels.

Diners at restaurants such as Fallow in London’s St James’, the Fat Duck in Bray and the Art School in Liverpool were asked to contribute £1 per table during the Christmas period.

StreetSmart has raised over £13m since it was founded in 1998 and has the support of 60 Michelin-starred restaurants across the country.

All donations are delivered to those in need via property industry charity LandAid.

Jimi Famurewa, chief restaurant critic at the Evening Standard, said: “StreetSmart is an integral, treasured component of the dining scene. Each year, the best restaurants take part to help those caught up in the misery of homelessness and it remains a vital, simple way to pay the spirit and generosity of a great meal forward."

A spokesperson for Mana in Manchester added: “The team at Mana are keen to work with StreetSmart every winter. We are proud of our quiet corner of Manchester, but it does not shelter us from the reality of homelessness. We feel a responsibility to promote such a meaningful cause, knowing that real action is being taken to improve lives.”

Kimberley Coke, communications director at Streetsmart, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have hit the one million landmark and keen to thank all the brilliant restaurateurs and their staff who took part and surpassed our expectations given the tough times faced by the industry.

“This money will change the lives of so many facing homelessness and I couldn’t be more proud with the result.”