I am writing to encourage you to participate in StreetSmart's Christmas 2007 campaign to raise money for the homeless in Birmingham. This is the fourth year that the charity has campaigned in our area and The Birmingham Post is again delighted to be lending its full support to StreetSmart.

I have no hesitation in endorsing the work of StreetSmart. The charity's pioneering £1 per table campaign is an ingenious way to raise funds to help the vulnerable and the neglected in our community. All the campaign asks of you is just two months of your time. It doesn't cost a penny to participate in the campaign but every penny donated will benefit local homeless projects.

Thanks to the generosity and goodwill of restaurateurs and their customers in Birmingham, last year StreetSmart raised £8,000. The funds were distributed to local homeless projects St. Basils and The Fireside Day Centre to provide nursery provision together with life-skills and employment training for young homeless parents, and accommodation and advice for ex-offenders to enable them to avoid the homelessness trap.

For its part, the Birmingham Post will be encouraging its readers to support the campaign by running a series of special features on StreetSmart and publicising participating restaurants.

In the build up to Christmas, with the emphasis on celebration and enjoyment, we should all spare a thought for those who - usually through no fault of their own - have no choice but to spend their "festive" season on the street. I hope that you will feel able to support this worthwhile campaign.