And this year, it’s bigger than ever
The charity StreetSmart (one of 2025 Heroes), which has raised over £15 million since it was founded in 1998, is launching its annual restaurant fundraiser to raise money to support people sleeping rough. Each year, restaurants taking part will add a voluntary £1 to your bill, with every penny going towards tackling homelessness in the UK.
These funds helps a number of partner charities to provide beds, housing, mental health support and training to those in need. With more than 13,000 people recorded as rough sleeping in London across 2024/2025, which is a 10% increase on the year before, StreetSmart’s work is more vital than ever.
The initiative is now in its 27th year, which is set to be its biggest yet with over 600 restaurants across the UK signed up. These include London favourites such as Slowburn, Legado, One Club Row, St. John, River Cafe, Holy Carrot, Lilibet’s, Ottolenghi, Barrafina, Tonkotsu, ALTA, Trullo, Lina Stores, and Begging Bowl. It’s a simple and effective concept – let’s face it, if you’re out for dinner in the capital you’ve probably got a quid to spare for charity.
As Jimi Famurewa says, “StreetSmart is an integral, treasured component of the London dining scene. Each year, the capital’s best restaurants take part to help those caught up in the misery of homelessness and it remains a vital, simple way to pay the spirit and generosity of a great meal forward. The altruism of restaurateurs and their diners has achieved a truly great results and will help make a lasting difference to so many lives.”
Key Information
Dates l Sat 1st November – Weds 31st December 2025
For more information | streetsmart.org.uk
