Please see below a press release about £3,000 raised for local charities by 10 of Cornwall's top restaurants as part of the StreetSmart campaign.

Restaurants across the county gave diners the option to donate to three Cornish charities - St Petroc's Society, Cornwall Women's Refuge Trust, and Cornish branches of Foodbank last winter.

The totals have just been counted and we are pleased to announce the restaurants have raised £3,000 which will shortly be donated to the charities.

Please find attached an image of the StreetSmart logo, food and interior of The Square at Porthleven, and Halsetown Inn.

Higher resolution and alternative images are also available.

Best wishes
Louisa

PRESS RELEASE
TO: News Desk

Thousands raised for local charities with StreetSmart

The Cornish contingency of a national campaign has raised over £3,000 for local homelessness charities thanks to the generosity of the county's diners.

Ten of the region's top restaurants participated in the StreetSmart campaign by adding an optional £1 onto customer's bills during November and December of last year.

The restaurants involved in supporting the campaign across Cornwall were 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, Spa & Estate, Archie Browns in Truro and Penzance, Kota and Kota Kai in Porthleven, The Square at Porthleven, and The Boathouse in Falmouth.

All administration costs are paid by national StreetSmart sponsor Deutsche Bank, ensuring that 100% of the £3,000 raised in Cornwall, stays in Cornwall.

The money raised will now be split equally amongst the three nominated charities - St Petroc's Society, the Cornwall Women's Refuge Trust and Cornish branches of Foodbank.

Anna Eddy, owner of the The Square at Porthleven said: "The Square at Porthleven has been proud to support StreetSmart. It's a brilliant and simple initiative that helps charities close to home and is always well received by our customers. Through our staff's dedication and customers' generosity we can support those experiencing hardship in our local community, and we hope other restaurants follow suit by taking part."

National StreetSmart Director Glenn Pougnet, is incredibly happy with funds raised in Cornwall this year, saying: "Since launching, StreetSmart has raised £7.9 million. We have helped homeless projects at a time when demands on them have increased significantly and funding from other sources has dried up, so I think our contribution has been important to keep some of those services going.

He added: "Our campaign hopes to shed some light in a positive manner on the often misunderstood issue of homelessness and give people the opportunity to help within their own communities"

Approximately 40 people in Cornwall sleep on the streets or rough ground each night and with support from the generous diners throughout the county the money raised will make a vital difference.

The Senior Residential Manager of Cornwall Women's Refuge Trust, is delighted with the funding that StreetSmart has secured, saying:
"With this year's donation we hope to buy a new larder fridge and dining room table and eight chairs. 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. 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."

James Milton,Southern England Foodbank Network Manager, said:
"Foodbanks in the Trussell Trust network across Cornwall are delighted to be receiving generous help from local restaurants, thanks to StreetSmart.  Help via StreetSmart and other generous donors is so appreciated as 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, would also like the recognize the positive impact of generous donations: "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. The winter services are vital in providing a safe, warm environment to work with each individual to enable them to get off the streets.

For further information, or if you are interested in finding out about taking part this year please visitwww.streetsmart.org.uk

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 EDITOR'S NOTES

 Contact: Louisa Kimmins at Eventy on 01209 315646/lousia@eventy.co.uk or louisa@8Wire.co.uk

 Photo: StreetSmart logo, food and interior of The Square at Porthleven, and Halsetown Inn interior. Higher resolution and alternative images are also available.

FURTHER INFO:

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.