Restaurants throughout Cornwall are preparing to get StreetSmart this winter, in an annual campaign to raise funds for three local charities.

StreetSmart is a national campaign that aims to raise money each year for the homeless, via a voluntary £1 donation added to restaurant bills during November and December.

With the weight of a national campaign behind it and a London Headquarters, all money raised in Cornwall stays within the county as all administration costs are paid by national StreetSmart sponsor Deutsche Bank.

Every pound donated goes solely to the three benefitting local charities - St Petroc’s Society, the Cornwall Women’s Refuge Trust and the Cornish branches of Foodbank.

Starting on November 1, participating restaurants ask diners permission to add £1 for the table to its bill. As well as raising funds, staff talk to customers about StreetSmart and the charities, answering any questions related to the scheme – raising both donations and the profile of these important causes.”

15 restaurants have already signed up to support the campaign this year, many of which have been loyal supporters for several years including: Bustophers Bar Bistro in Truro, The Old Quay Inn in Devoran, The Cornish Arms in Padstow, Archie Browns in Truro and Penzance, Trevaskis Farm in Hayle, Nathan Outlaw’s Restaurant in Rock, Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen in Port Isaac, Porthminster Beach Café in St Ives, Alba in St Ives, The Tolcarne Inn in Newlyn, The Victoria Inn in Penzance, Trennick Mill in Truro, The Square in Porthleven, The Blue Plate in Looe, Mustard and Rye in Truro, Treloyhan Manor in St Ives, The Halsetown Inn in St Ives and The Harbour Kitchen Supply Store in Port Isaac.

StreetSmart raised £805,000 across the UK last year with a raft of celebrity supporters including Gordon Ramsay who said: “StreetSmart has become part of Christmas for us. It’s everyone’s chance to do the right thing at the right time with only the gentlest nudge.”

Another keen supporter is Rick Stein, whose Cornish Arms will be involved with the campaign for a third year.

Rick said: “We are very happy to be supporting StreetSmart again this year, and we will be adding £1 on to some delicious dishes marked ‘StreetSmart’ on the menu for people to choose to do things a little differently. We are pleased that all funds raised will help support the homeless in Cornwall during the cold winter nights.”

So if your restaurant would like to join the campaign to raise funds for these three vital charities please contact Lucy on mail@cornwallcontent.com . For more information about StreetSmart, please visit www.streetsmart.org.uk

Foodbank has branches throughout the county and deliver food to local people in crisis. Their drop-in centres allow people to talk about their problems over a hot drink and have access to information that may help them to break the cycle of poverty. Crucially, they can also collect nutritionally balanced food to feed themselves and their family.

St Petroc’s Society offers housing and support for those homeless and single in our area. Supported houses give much needed breathing space to some of the most vulnerable people in Cornwall. StreetSmart funds have been used to support Cold Weather Provision, enabling a place for the homeless to sleep and rest whenever the temperature drops below zero.

The Cornwall Women’s Refuge Trust provides a safe supportive environment for women and children who have escaped domestic violence. Previously StreetSmart funds have been used to refurbish bedrooms, keep support groups running, provide sessions on healthy eating, first aid, building self-esteem and other important life skills.