The Restaurants Association of Ireland are proud to announce Depaul as their charity partner for the 2017 Irish Restaurant Awards. Every year the RAI takes the opportunity to fundraise at its All Ireland Awards event in Dublin, hoping to make a difference and support a worthy cause. The 900+ guests are made up of restaurateurs, publicans, hoteliers and others from the hospitality industry. In 2016 these guests raised more than €10,000 through a raffle in a huge display of generosity.

Raffle prizes are donated by the association’s members and the proceeds are split between the chosen charity partner and the RAI Benevolent Fund which helps members of the hospitality industry who have fallen on hard times. This year we are proud to be supporting Depaul as well.

Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association, Adrian Cummins stated, “We are delighted to work with Depaul on this year’s Awards. The work they do across the country is both noble and humbling, and in these current times their support is needed more than ever. We are happy to be able to help them with their cause.”

Depaul is a leading cross-border charity supporting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. They manage over 20 specialised accommodation and community outreach services across four main service areas: Homelessness and vulnerable families’ services, Homelessness prevention services, Homeless addiction services and Homelessness and criminal justice services.

They offer support and guidance to break the cycle of homelessness, and assist their service users in making positive choices for their future. In 2016, Depaul provided 497 bed spaces each night and helped over 3,500 people.

“We are delighted to have been chosen as the official charity partner for the Irish Restaurant Awards. Depaul works with some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people experiencing homelessness across the island of Ireland. All funds raised will go towards helping us to continue to provide vital services for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.”

Ms. Kerry Anthony, CEO of Depaul

To find out more, go to https://ie.depaulcharity.org/

Facebook – /depaulireland

Twitter – @depaulireland

The Irish Restaurant Awards All Ireland Final takes place on the 8^th of May 2017 in Dublin. If your company is interested in donating a prize for our Irish Restaurant Awards charity raffle, please contact media@rai.ie

For further information contact:

Adrian Cummins, Chief Executive Officer

Restaurants Association of Ireland

Mobile: +353 86 8263311

Telephone: +353 1 6779901

Fax: +353 1 6718414

Email: awards@rai.iemailto:info@rai.ie

Website: www.irishrestaurantawards.com

Twitter: @restawards

Facebook: www.facebook.com/IrishRestaurantAwards

Instagram: @irishrestawards