Wave of goodwill
UNICHEF, the restaurant industry's fundraising initiative to help victims of the Boxing Day tsunami, raised a massive £300,000 for UNICEF, the United Nations' children's charity. The event, backed by Caterer, took place on 7 February and involved more than 200 restaurants, pubs and contract caterers donating a percentage of their takings from the day.
UNICHEF was the brainchild of Phil Howard, chef-proprietor of two-Michelin-starred the Square in London, and was organised in only four weeks (see A Minute on the Clock, page 18).
Fiona Hesselden, deputy executive director of fundraising at UNICEF UK, said: "We would like to thank everyone who participated in the UNICHEF restaurant initiative in support of UNICEF's Asia Tsunami Children's Appeal.
"This is the first year that the restaurant industry as a whole has come together to support a UNICEF project. To raise £300,000 in one day is a staggering achievement. We are humbled and thrilled that this industry was willing to dig so deep to help the vulnerable children we support around the world."
All the money raised will be used to support UNICEF's long-term relief work with children and families in the tsunami zone. "At present, our efforts are focusing on the rehabilitation and recovery phase, which includes providing new permanent settlements, schools, and water and sanitation facilities," said Hesselden.
Howard said the fundraising effort was a "staggering commitment". He added: "We genuinely thought we would raise £250,000, so to surpass that figure was fantastic, and everyone who took part was bloody generous.
"This year's event has established UNICHEF as a brand to use for future fundraising, and has demonstrated how effectively the restaurant industry can work together to raise money. I'm sure there will be more UNICHEF events in the future."
The fundraising effort stretched across the UK, from the Old Pier Tea Room on the Isle of Arran in Scotland to chain restaurants such as the Conran group, the Restaurant Group, Chez GŽrard, Balls Brothers, and 18 Charles Wells inns.
Another group that took part was Brazz, with restaurants in Taunton, Exeter and Cardiff's Millennium Centre, which contributed £1 for every £10 spent on food during February, as well as holding a silent auction.
Kit Chapman, chief executive of the Brazz group, said: "Our business is about feeding people; it's something we do all day, every day, without thinking about it. I am delighted we have been able to help out in our own way."
As well as the groups, some high-profile restaurants from the independent sector also took part, with London venues such as Zuma, Le Gavroche, the Ivy, Locanda Locatelli and Smiths of Smithfield raising significant amounts of cash for the cause.
CAPTION: Children from Zahira Primary School in Sri Lanka are now being taught in buildings further away from the sea
BOXHEAD: How UNICEF has spent the money so far
BOXTEXT: Very few children have died from preventable disease - probably the most important indicator of an effective immediate response.
In the most seriously affected communities in Indonesia and Sri Lanka, 80-100% of children are back in school. Most returned within the first month.
Reliable water systems are in place so the most vulnerable communities can access clean water.
Almost all separated or vulnerable children are receiving help, such as shelter, food and clothing, family tracing and psychosocial counselling.
Caterer plans to visit one of the tsunami-affected areas with UNICEF later in the year so that those who contributed to UNICHEF can get a true picture of how the money they so generously raised has been spent.
