This week sees the launch of the StreetSmart Edinburgh, a unique initiative raising money to tackle homelessness in Scotland.

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Restaurants across the capital will be inviting diners to add a voluntary £1 donation to their bill. Each and every penny raised will go directly towards helping homelessness projects in the East of Scotland.

The StreetSmart campaign is a UK-wide initiative currently in its ninth year, and this is the sixth Edinburgh campaign. Over that time restaurateurs have generated in excess of £90,000 for homelessness charities working in Scotland’s capital.

Last year alone, 80 restaurants raised £30,000 of funds providing much needed support for The Cyrenians, The Ark Trust, Dean and Cauvin Trust, the Cranston Street Hostel and the Alternatives to violence amongst others.

David Wither, Director of the Montpellier Group and Paul O’Donoghue, General Manager of Smart City Hostels, are backing the Campaign. Wither said, ‘Montpellier are delighted to be giving back to Edinburgh by supporting StreetSmart, it’s a simple, effective, and worthwhile scheme that benefits those who truly need support’.

O’Donoghue comments, "I feel that all restaurants, from fine dining to soup and a sandwich, should participate in such a worthy scheme. At Smart City Hostel we are very proud to be the first hostel, but will be happier for the charity if we are not the last".

Local author, Ian Rankin, is also backing StreetSmart, saying ‘All it takes is one well-fed quid next time you’re dining at any of the damned fine establishments taking part in this glorious campaign, and that tiny extra sum will go straight to an excellently worthwhile cause. Go on, it’ll make you feel good about that expanding waistline’.

The StreetSmart Campaign will run from now throughout the Festival season, and again during the months of November and December. Edinburgh is the first Scottish City to run the Campaign and the charity hopes to expand to include Glasgow later this year and then on to other Scottish cities next summer.

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Martin Irons, the Campaign Manager for Scotland, is optimistic that this summer will see the most successful StreetSmart Edinburgh yet; ‘I’m thrilled with the number of restaurants already committed to this StreetSmart Campaign. We’re a City known for good taste and high tourism so I don’t see why people wouldn’t want to support us, particularly when you see the long-term benefit that just £1 can reap’.

Thanks to sponsorship from Marks & Spencer, all StreetSmart Scotland administrative costs are covered and so every penny in the £1 donated will benefit homelessness projects in East Scotland.

If you would like to sign up for the scheme, make a donation or find out more information, go to www.streetsmart.org.uk [5] or call Martin Irons, StreetSmart Campaign Manager, on 0131 343 1043 or 07896 181985 or email: martin.irons@fsbdial.co.uk [6]. If you sign up to the scheme, your restaurant’s name, telephone numbers and web address will be added to the StreetSmart website.