Last year's annual StreetSmart Christmas campaign, which was supported by some 500 restaurants and gives diners the option to add a voluntary £1 per table donation to their bills during November and December, raised a total of £696,000; smashing the charity's £500,000 target.
All money raised through the scheme contributes to 'achieving impactful social change by supporting people rough sleeping and those in unsuitable accommodation'.
Standout figures from the campaign include Soho House Group, which raised £69,000 from £1 per table donations; and MEATliquor, which raised more than £28,000 to help provide food, shelter and accommodation to homeless people in the localities where they operate.
In Birmingham, meanwhile, diners at Adam’s restaurant contributed £2,000 to the cause, which was matched by their owners.
“We are delighted to support StreetSmart charity since 2013. Being based in the centre of Birmingham we have seen first-hand how the pandemic has affected homelessness,” says Adam and Natasha Stokes, the restaurant's founders.
“The past 24 months has been devastating for so many which has only created more need for these vital funds. Everyone deserves to live in a safe and stable home.”
StreetSmart has raised more than £11m since its foundation in 1998, and 100% of what is raised goes to help those in need as the campaign costs are covered by StreetSmart’s partner LandAid, a property industry charity working to end youth homelessness in the UK.
More than 50 UK homelessness charities now benefit each year, with funds supporting services in housing, mental health advice, training and job support as well as organisations providing a safe place to sleep for the night.