Hotel Fundraising Scheme for the Homeless Launched for second year

New development from StreetSmart – restaurant charity scheme

“It is a simple way to give essential help to a worthwhile cause.” Said Olga Polizzi, Director, Rocco Forte Hotels

Now in its second year, SleepSmart’s simple but extremely successful fundraising method has struck a chord with several of London’s top hotels. Browns Hotel, The Arch, The Stafford, Lancaster London, The Hempel, The Avo Hotel, The St John Hotel, Hyatt Regency–Churchill, The Zetter and the Landmark are all taking part in the campaign. Both myhotel group and the Park Plaza hotel group are also participating.

But its not just London’s homeless who will benefit – Manchester’s Lowry, Edinburgh’s Balmoral, Brighton’s myhotel, Leeds and Manchester’s Park Plazas have also pledged their support to raise funds for the homeless in their local communities.

SleepSmart runs from 1st November until 31st December, during which time guests in participating hotels will be asked to add a voluntary £1 to their final hotel bill. The £1 donation will be given to specially chosen charities that help the homeless.

The campaign sponsor, Deutsche Bank will cover all of SleepSmart’s administration costs, ensuring that every penny of every £1 donated will go directly to where it’s needed – a bed, a shower, a hot meal, medical help, employment and social security advice, shoes for job interviews, starter packs for the newly housed, vans for food delivery, and support for the abused.

“I have no hesitation in supporting and recommending the work of the charity, which is low in bureaucracy and high on delivering where help is needed. We may not be able to solve the question of homelessness, but at least by doing something we, in some way, diminish its tyranny.” Said Stephen Fry, Writer, Actor, Director

SleepSmart comes from the same team as StreetSmart where restaurants like Nobu, St John, OXO Tower, e&o and Moro participate every year and help raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for homeless charities by putting just £1 on each bill.

In total, over 500 restaurants now participate and with big hitting newcomers like Heston's Dinner and Gordon’s Bread Street Kitchen joining, StreetSmart should beat last year's hefty £465,000 raised for local projects.

And it couldn't be more appropriate to support this year’s campaign. StreetSmart's projects need the extra funds, particularly in these hard economic times, as they strive to get people off the streets and integrated back into society. Gordon Ramsay says "It's everyone's chance to do the right thing at the right time with only the gentlest of nudge."

StreetSmart is a simple and lean scheme that runs for two months at zero cost. The campaign doesn't dip into any of the funds raised because it has a sponsor – Deutsche Bank who fund the administration element thus ensuring that every penny given by diners goes directly to help the homeless and vulnerable.

Valere Tjolle
Valere is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite 2011 Get your copy at a special offer price: HERE