StreetSmart continues festive restaurant fundraising campaign

Hundreds of restaurants have resumed fundraising for the annual StreetSmart campaign to tackle homelessness.

This year more than 375 restaurants are taking part, adding a voluntary £1 to diners’ bills over the festive period to support charitable projects. The initiative was due to run from 1 November to 31 December but it was paused by the four-week lockdown in England last month.

Many restaurants continued their support during the lockdown, with St John selling special takeaway dishes with an added donation, while Brixton’s Naughty Piglet added £1 to all deliveries.

One restaurant taking part is MeatLiquor, which will be donating 25p for every burger sold in-house or to takeaway to StreetSmart throughout December. The London-based chain's butcher, Turner & George, will also be donating 25p per burger.

Scott Collins, founder and managing of MeatLiquor, said: ”Our staff and customers are keen to support StreetSmart every Christmas but even more so this year when those on the streets are struggling to stay safe. We twisted the arms of a few suppliers to help out too and they have generously answered the call."

Other restaurant groups such as Ottolenghi will continue support into January.

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

For more information or to take part visit streetsmart.org.uk

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