Please see below a press release regarding StreetSmart, a charity campaign for the homeless, running in Cornwall until December 31^st 2015. Ten popular Cornish restaurants are taking part in this year's fundraising, with all of the money raised going to three Cornish charities; St Petroc's Society, Cornwall Women's Refuge Trust, and Cornish branches of Foodbank, who are urging diners to take part.

Medium resolution images attached show:
Image 1 - StreetSmart logo

Image 2 - StreetSmart logo

Image 3 - A rough sleeper who has been helped by St Petroc's Society

Image 4 - Foodbank volunteers

Best Wishes,

Louisa Kimmins

Louisa Kimmins| Account Manager
louisa@eventy.co.uk
Please note the Eventy office will be closed from 5pm on 23^rdDecember until 4^thJanuary for the Christmas period. Please let us know if you anticipate that you may need our assistance during this time so we can plan accordingly.
01209 315646
www.eventy.co.uk

TO: News Desk

FROM: Eventy - Marketing & PR

DATE: 10^thDecember 2015

For Immediate Release

Charities Encourage Restaurant Diners to Help the Homeless

Local charities are encouraging diners to make a stance against homelessness in the spirit of Christmas, simply by eating out at a StreetSmart restaurant.

Ten of Cornwall's popular restaurants are taking part in StreetSmart, a national campaign which supports charities throughout the UK by asking diners to add a voluntary £1 donation onto their restaurant bill during December.

The proactive restaurants taking part this year include No.4 Peterville in St Agnes, Halsetown Inn near St Ives, Old School Bar and Kitchen in Mount Hawke, the Beach Club restaurant at Carbis Bay Hotel & Estate, Archie Browns in Truro and Penzance, Kota and Kota Kai in Porthleven, The Square at Porthleven, and The Boathouse in Falmouth.

StreetSmart sponsor, Deutsche Bank, covers all administrations costs, meaning that every pound raised in December will go to the three nominated local charities; Cornish branches of Foodbank, St Petroc's Society and Cornwall Women's Refuge Trust.

The Senior Residential Manager at CWRT says:

"As a charity we struggle to buy the big things, so a lot of our furnishings are well worn and tired. The donation last year enabled us to buy a new dishwasher, a second cot bed with bedding, and a new set of sofas for the communal lounge, as the old set were ripped beyond repair. Without your donation we would not have been in a position to buy these items, which will hopefully last us for many years to come. With this year's donation we hope to buy a new larder fridge and dining room table and eight chairs. Being able to brighten the residents' surroundings is much appreciated by our families, who through no fault of their own have had to call this their temporary home."

One third of the StreetSmart money raised will also go toward Cornish branches of Foodbank. Foodbank distributes food to local people in crisis and offers a range of support services.

James Milton, Foodbank Network Manager for Southern England, credits donations from StreetSmart for allowing Foodbank to diversify their services in Cornwall, saying:

"Foodbanks in the Trussell Trust network across Cornwall are delighted to be receiving generous help from local restaurants, thanks to StreetSmart.   Thanks to the incredible generosity of the public, donations of food are very strong.  But foodbanks want to do a lot more to help people back on their feet - things like money advice, basic cookery and life skills, breakfast clubs, baby products, and much more.  That's why financial help via StreetSmart and other generous donors is so appreciated.  It enables foodbanks not just to meet their necessary operational costs, but to expand the ways that they can help members of their community get back onto their feet - and stay there."

Steve Ellis, Chief Executive of St Petroc's Society said:

"Last winter over 100 individuals had no alternative but to utilise the St. Petroc's emergency winter services to avoid being on the streets. The donations made through StreetSmart are crucial to keep this service open and operational - especially as we expect demand to rise this winter. The winter services are vital in providing a safe, warm environment to work with each individual to enable them to get off the streets. The StreetSmart donations contribute to this life-changing programme.

"Everyone at St. Petroc's would like to say a sincere thank you for each and every donation; they truly make a difference."

StreetSmart has been running since 1998 and has raised £7.4 million since its inception, with all of the money going directly to projects fighting homelessness. To find out more about StreetSmart please visit www.streetsmart.org.uk

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EDITOR'S NOTES

Contact: Louisa Kimmins 01209 315646 / Louisa@eventy.co.uk

Photo: Please find attached images - Two versions of the StreetSmart logo, a rough sleeper who has been helped by St Petroc's Society, and Foodbank volunteers. 

FURTHER INFO:

St Petroc's Societyoffers 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, giving the homeless a place to rest and sleep whenever the temperature drops below zero. On any one night it is estimated that there are between 50 and 120 people sleeping rough in Cornwall. For many, when temperatures drop below freezing, their only option is St. Petroc's Cold Weather Provision emergency accommodation in Truro and Camborne - which provides food, support, and a safe place to sleep

Cornwall Women's Refuge Trustprovides a safe and supportive environment for women and children who have escaped domestic abuse. In 2014 the trust opened their first refuge in the South West for male victims and their children. On average the refuge supports between 20 and 30 families a year for an average stay of about nine months before safe housing is found.

Previously, StreetSmart funds have been used to refurbish bedrooms and run support groups to help with building self-esteem and other important life skills.

Foodbankhas branches throughout the county and delivers food to local people in crisis. They rely on food donated by members of the public, which is then distributed through a network of dedicated volunteers. Additionally, there are always advisors on hand to give information about benefits, rights and other sources of support.

Recent data from the Office of National Statistics confirm that over 30% of workers in Cornwall are paid less than the living wage.  Many of these will experience times when they cannot make ends meet, and Foodbanks are there to help them in their time of acute crisis.