Last night, supporters of the charity StreetSmart gathered at Parrillian in Borough Yards to mark an historic milestone for the annual fundraiser that tackles homelessness across the UK. For the first time in its 25 year history the Streetsmart campaign topped the £1 million mark with diners each contributing £1 per table during the Christmas period at over 600 restaurants across the UK.

Restaurants including Fallow, Dinner by Heston Blumental, The River Café and Manteca were joined by the eateries in Selfridges and Harvey Nichols to help raise the record amount of £1,059,000. Restaurant Groups like D&D London, Ottolenghi and Lina Stores contributed tens of thousands of pounds to the cause.

Jimi Famurewa, Chief Restaurant critic at The Evening Standard was proud of the industry’s efforts “StreetSmart is an integral, treasured component of the London dining scene. Each year, the capital’s best restaurants take part to help those caught up in the misery of homelessness and it remains a vital, simple way to pay the spirit and generosity of a great meal forward. The altruism of restaurateurs and their diners has achieved a truly great results and will help make a lasting difference to so many lives.”

StreetSmart has the support of 60 Michelin starred restaurants across the country including Mana in Manchester who said ‘The team at Mana are keen to work with StreetSmart every winter. We are proud of our quiet corner of Manchester, but it does not shelter us from the reality of homelessness. We feel a responsibility to promote such a meaningful cause, knowing that real action is being taken to improve lives.’

StreetSmart has now raised over £13 million since its foundation and 100% of what is raised goes to help those in need as the campaign costs are covered by StreetSmart’s partner LandAid. LandAid are the property industry charity working to end youth homelessness in the UK.

Alice Lamb, Deputy Chief Executive at LandAid, said: “I am beyond delighted at the total raised from the 2023 StreetSmart campaign. LandAid has a very special relationship with StreetSmart, and it has been amazing to see continual rising enthusiasm from across the hospitality and property industries in supporting the campaign. Sadly, we know that this support needed now more than ever with 135,800 young people facing homelessness last year alone. The funds raised will enable projects that bring both relief and security to 16-25 year olds across the UK. This means they can focus their energy on essential skills to build a brighter future, finding sustainable employment and education opportunities, as opposed to worrying where they are going to safely sleep each night.”