I am writing to encourage you to participate in StreetSmart’s Christmas 2007 campaign to raise money for the homeless in Manchester. This is the fifth year that the charity has campaigned in our area and, the Manchester Evening News 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. All of StreetSmart’s admin’ costs are paid for by their sponsor.

Last year StreetSmart raised £16,000 thanks to the generosity and goodwill of restaurateurs and their customers in Manchester, we hope this year to make a significant advance on this figure. The funds were distributed to local organisations including Booth Centre, Church Housing Trust, DePaul Trust, Mustard Tree, Wellspring Project and Lifeshare - enabling them to provide supported accommodation, welfare and health services, and training and employment opportunities to local homeless people.

For its part, the Manchester Evening News will be encouraging its readers to support the scheme 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 scheme.

Yours sincerely,

Paul Horrocks
Editor, Manchester Evening News