Only A Pavement Away shares success of lockdown fundraising push

The charity launched its Hospitality Against Homelessness campaign earlier this year amid the coronavirus lockdown, with involvement from chefs Tom Aikens and Judy Joo.

The Tom Aikens Charity Cooking Challenge raised more than £5,000 for the campaign which saw more than 200 individuals take part in a social media cooking challenge by nominating their friends to take part and donate.

Recipes from the challenge will be published in a cookbook in November, with its proceeds to support both Only A Pavement Away members and non-members get back into work.

Generous donations

Founder of Only A Pavement Away, Greg Mangham said: “The last few months have proved to be some of the most difficult in living memory for everyone involved in hospitality and it has been extremely tough to see so many of our people fall into unemployment and economic hardship as the lockdown measures begin to bite.

"I am eternally grateful for all the support that we have been shown during this time from hospitality leaders and celebrity chefs to the Great British public whose enthusiasm for our work and generous donations have enabled us to help so many individuals during this testing time."

He added: “We can’t wait to celebrate everyone’s contribution to the Charity Cookery Challenge in the new cookbook this autumn too and we are thrilled to have now raised enough money to distribute 3,000 flasks of water to homeless individuals in London and Brighton this month thanks to support shown to us from Greene King and Thomas Franks.”

Companies to help the cause included the Athenaeum Hotel, Thomas Franks, Yummy Pub Co., Mandarin Oriental & Pasta Remoli.

Only A Pavement Away has also launched a charity jobs board focused at the hospitality sector, in association with Hospitality Jobs UK and Cue Media. Employer partners can review candidates and pursue hiring them through the charity.

Industry hit

Outsource sales agency Bums on Seats has also partnered with Only A Pavement Away to raise money through donating a proportion of sales from its foundation course to them.

Discussing his work with the charity, chef Tom Aikens said: “Since collaborating with Only A Pavement Away at the start of the lockdown period, it has been brilliant to watch the Charity Cookery Challenge evolve and see just how popular it has become with both industry figures and the wider public.

"I am delighted that we have so far raised over £5,000 and I can’t wait for the finished cookbook to go on sale in the coming months. Our industry has taken a real hit this year and every penny that we raise makes a huge difference to the lives of every hospitality worker who has been struggling at this time.”

Only A Pavement Away Employer Partner, Judy Joo added: “There is still so much more to do but I am confident that we will continue to reach as many individuals as possible as the industry continues to open up this summer.”