Edinburgh diners help Salvation Army tackle homelessness

Diners at an Edinburgh restaurant have raised money to help tackle homelessness in the city.

The Hard Rock Cafe on George Street presented a cheque for £1660 to staff and service users from The Salvation Army.

The money was raised through the restaurant’s Take Time To Be Kind campaign, which saw all proceeds from the sale of its £1 wristbands go to the church and charity.

Iain Wilson, service manager at the Pleasance Lifehouse (centre for homeless people), said: "We are honoured that the Hard Rock Cafe has decided to support our work in this way.

“It will help us to continue offering compassionate support, a listening ear and practical help to many of the city’s homeless men and women.

“Our lifehouses offer people more than just a bed for the night. They provide a safe space for them to take control of their lives and make positive choices.

"We have a great relationship with the Hard Rock Cafe and the staff there. I’d like to thank them for all their help over the past few years and I hope we can continue to count on their help for many more years to come."

Lesley Ross, sales and Marketing manager at the Hard Rock Cafe in Edinburgh, said: "We're delighted to continue supporting the homelessness work of The Salvation Army here in Edinburgh.

"Our relationship with The Salvation Army goes back a few years, with our staff having donated a lot of their time to help out at the Pleasance Lifehouse.

"As a result, the perception of homelessness among my colleagues and I has changed greatly. We have come to realise that homelessness is not just about people living on the street but also about vulnerable people who have fallen on hard times and who need a bit of extra support.

"We are delighted to be supporting The Salvation Army as it celebrates its landmark 150th year."