Celebrity chefs help raise charity awareness

Hospitality Action, the hospitality industry charity, has launched a new campaign with the help of chefs Antony Worrall Thompson, Anton Edelmann and Anton Mosimann.

The three have been photographed in costume as people who have fallen on hard times, in a bid to raise awareness of the individuals Hospitality Action helps.

Antony Worrall Thompson posed as a homeless tramp, Anton Edelmann appeared in a hospital bed and Anton Mosimann was pictured in a wheelchair.

Penny Moore, chief executive of Hospitality Action, said: "The image of these individuals in completely reverse scenarios aims to demonstrate how quickly luck can change."

Hospitality Action provides grants to hospitality workers experiencing personal crisis.

In 2005 the organisation, which is supported entirely by donations and fundraising activities, gave £353,816 in grants to more than 1,000 people.

Troubled hospitality workers can apply for "The Essential Needs" grant as a one-off contribution towards the cost of an item considered vital to improving their well being.

"The Crisis Grant" is awarded to applicants who have suffered a sudden loss of income due to bereavement, illness or injury to help with living costs for a set period.

The charity also provides assistance to retirees and runs seminars to educate hospitality students of the dangers of alcohol and drug misuse.

By Naomi Leach

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