Chef-patron Luke French of restaurant Joro in Sheffield has drawn on his personal experience of supported housing to highlight the work of StreetSmart, which launches its annual hospitality fundraising drive on Sunday.
Participating restaurants add a £1 voluntary donation per table to guests’ bills until the end of the year, in a campaign that has raised £16.2 million in 29 years to support charities working with homeless people.
Luke said: “Having spent my early years in supported housing, I know first-hand just how important it is to have a safe place to call home. Supported housing is about so much more than putting a roof over someone’s head – it provides stability, security, hope and the opportunity to build a better future. That’s why the work of StreetSmart and its winter campaign means so much to me personally. Everyone deserves somewhere safe to sleep and the chance to move forward in life. Sometimes, having someone believe in you and offer you a helping hand can make all the difference.”
Joro is joined as new participants this year by Birmingham restaurant Trillium and London venues 2210 by Natty Can Cook, Cloth Cornhill, Lunette and Bar Blondie. Long-standing supporters include Moor Hall, St John, Barrafina, Gymkhana and groups such as Lina Stores and The Wolseley.
StreetSmart is fully funded by LandAid, the property industry charity working to end youth homelessness. This means 100% of donations go directly to charitable projects, with no deductions for campaign costs, and funds raised stay within the communities where they are collected.
Mark Birchall, founder of Moor Hall near Liverpool, said: “Unfortunately, homelessness is a very real issue all over the UK. The discretionary £1 donation is a small contribution which can make a huge difference. We are so pleased to be able to support this cause and incredible work that StreetSmart does locally and across the country.”
Anna Watkins, managing director of Barrafina, added: “StreetSmart is a charity very close to our hearts here at Barrafina. With our restaurants being in central London and us all seeing the devastating impact of homelessness on people’s lives every day, we are proud to promote their tireless work in providing shelter and a home as well as tackling the root causes of homelessness.”