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As the county’s top lifestyle magazine, Hampshire Life is proud to be backing the StreetSmart Hampshire campaign as media partner after The Society of St James (SSJ) is gearing up to bring London’s acclaimed StreetSmart campaign to Hampshire this Christmas with the help of the county’s top restaurants.

StreetSmart raises thousands for homeless charities every year and has raised over �5.5 million since it launched in 1998. Participating London restaurants include the Savoy Grill, Oxo Tower, Salt Yard and Fergus Henderson’s St John. Here in Hampshire, The Purefoy Arms at Preston Candover, both the Scullery and Dining Room at Lime Wood in the New Forest, The Three Tuns in Romsey and Chesil Rectory in Winchester are the first to confirm their involvement for 2012.

It works by participating restaurants adding a voluntary �1 to each total table bill for diners during November and December, which is passed to StreetSmart. Every �1 raised in Hampshire will then be used by SSJ to directly help homeless people here in Hampshire.

Having moved to Hampshire from London to run The Purefoy Arms, Chef Andres Alemany was familiar with the campaign and first to get onboard here last Christmas: “StreetSmart is an elegant campaign and a non-intrusive way to help make a better future to those who find themselves in difficulty. After all, what’s an extra �1 on your bill following a good meal out?”

Director Mark Dodd said: “The Chesil Rectory and Three Tuns are very pleased to be associated with StreetSmart Hampshire’s campaign.”

Lime Wood Food & Beverage Manager Oliver Williams added: “This is our second year supporting StreetSmart, and it is embraced by our guests. It is an easy way for Hampshire’s hospitality industry to support local community initiatives, and I would encourage other restaurants to get onboard”.

Last year, StreetSmart raised �5000 in Hampshire and campaign manager Dee Russell of SSJ is hoping to top this in 2012. Hampshire restaurants and pubs keen to participate should contact Dee on 02380 632524, dee.russell@ssj.org.uk. You can also find out more at http://www.streetsmart.org.uk/ and http://www.ssj.org.uk/.