The Restaurants Association of Ireland are delighted to announce The Simon Community as the Irish Restaurant Awards official charity partner 2016. Each year, the Irish Restaurant Awards endeavour to raise funds for a charitable cause by holding a fundraiser on the night of the Awards final.

The Simon Community across the country provide support and services to over 7500 individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness every year. Together, with people who are homeless, Simon tackles the root causes, promotes innovative responses and urges the government to fulfill their commitments. We are excited to support the foundation in all of the fantastic work they do.

Niamh Randall, National Spokesperson for the Simon Communities commented: “I’d like to sincerely thank the Restaurants Association who have chosen the Simon Community as their official charity partner for the Irish Restaurant Awards. All funds raised are much needed to support our work addressing the homeless and housing crisis.”

As part of this new partnership, the Irish Restaurant Awards will be raising money for the Simon Community, alongside the Restaurants Association of Ireland Benevolent Fund, through raffles and guest donations. The RAI Benevolent Fund assists those currently or previously involved in the hospitality & catering industry who have fallen on hard times.

The raffle will take place on the night of the awards for all 70+ guests and we expect to raise thousands thanks these generous restaurateurs. We are however still appealing for more raffle prizes so if your restaurant/business can donate anything, whether it’s a bottle of wine, an afternoon tea, a dinner for two or a weekend away, anything at all will be greatly appreciated. All contributors will of course be mentioned on the night of the awards.

If you wish to donate to these great causes by supplying a raffle prize, please email media@rai.ie or simply post a voucher to Restaurants Association of Ireland, 11 Bridge Court, Citygate, St. Augustine Street, Dublin 8.

We look forward to working with the Simon Community. To see more about the foundation please visit their website www.simon.ie or follow them on Twitter @SimonCommunity.

Many thanks for your support,

Awards Team.