“STREETSMART lets us do a graceful thing. A simple thing. A kind thing," says Stephen Fry, National StreetSmart Ambassador.
The national StreetSmart campaign launched on Thursday 1 November and as usual Greater Manchester restaurants are playing their part in the country’s bid to help the homeless over Christmas.
With StreetSmart 100% of the funds raised by each participating city are directed straight back into local homeless projects and charities.
StreetSmart works through participating restaurants adding £1 to all customers’ bills throughout November and December.
This a voluntary contribution and the amount is the same no matter how big the party. With hundreds of restaurants doing this nationally the small gift helps lift the lives of the UK’s homeless population. The 2011 campaign raising £760,000 nationally, and Manchester restaurants generated £46,000 of funding for local projects.
Australasia
With StreetSmart 100% of the funds raised by each participating city are directed straight back into local homeless projects and charities.
All administration fees are generously covered by the campaign’s sponsor Deutsche Bank to ensure that every penny raised goes straight back into the local community.
Projects that have benefited from the StreetSmart scheme include The Booth Centre, Mustard Tree, Life Share, WellSpring Project, Emmaus and Manchester Ceramics Enterprise.
Such organisations provide crucial support to the homeless through empowering activities such as allotment schemes, counselling, free music workshops and mentoring, as well as relief for homeless individuals such as soup runs, clothing and bedding distribution and shelter.
Participating restaurants in Manchester this year include:
Aumbry, Prestwich.
Australasia, Spinningfields, City Centre.
Choice Bar and Restaurant, Castlefield, City Centre.
Damson, Heaton Moor.
Giovanni’s Deli, City Centre.
The Grill on the Alley, City Centre.
The Lime Tree Restaurant, Didsbury.
The Lime Tree Restaurant and Wine Bar, Bollington.
The Lowry Hotel, City Centre.
The Mark Addy, Salford.
The Market Restaurant, Northern Quarter
Michael Caines Restaurant @ABode Manchester
Michael Caines Bar & Grill @ABode Manchester
The Red Lion, High Lane.
Second Floor Restaurant, Harvey Nichols, City Centre.
One supporter of the campaign, broadcaster Richard Bacon has pledged local support in Manchester in light of his recent move to MediaCityUK for his 5Live Afternoon Show.
He said: "This has got to be the smartest, most effective and enjoyable way of doing a little something for homelessness that's ever been conceived of. Eat great food. Do some good. There's no worse time of year for people to be sleeping rough and a tiny numerical adjustment to your bill, one so small you wouldn't even have noticed, will help"
StreetSmart runs from Thursday 1st November to Monday 31st December.
Full lists of participating restaurants and charities can be found at www.streetsmart.org.uk.
