Hospitality Action calls upon industry to take part in national fundraising day

The fifth Social Sunday event in aid of industry charity Hospitality Action is to take place on 7 July.

The brainchild of the charity's principal patron and Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton, Social Sunday originally launched with participating restaurants donating the profits from a single Sunday lunch service. Now it will involve fundraising activities in the week leading up to 7 July, as well as on the day itself.

Restaurants, hotels, pubs, bars and foodservice operators are all invited to participate. Previous fundraising efforts have ranged from cocktail masterclasses to after-dinner speeches from sporting icons and mini-festivals with barbecues and local bands.

All money raised will go towards supporting current and former employees of the industry who are facing a period of hardship or illness.

Mark Lewis, chief executive of Hospitality Action, added: "We are proud of the success Social Sunday has grown to become and in 2019 we want to take things up a gear. It's an annual moment that unites the industry to fundraise, and acts as a showcase of the fantastic food, drink and people that make the UK dining scene one of the most vibrant in the world."

Since its launch, Social Sunday has raised over £150,000 for Hospitality Action.

Further details about this year's event can be found at www.socialsunday.org.uk or email astrid@hospitalityaction.org.uk.

Atherton (centre) is seen here with fellow chefs Tom Aitkens (left) and Tom Sellers (right) at Pollen Street Social, London, at a previous Social Sunday event.

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