Top restaurants serve up charity fund-raiser

SOME 30 of Dublin’s top restaurants are inviting diners to give an extra euro per head when paying their bills during the festive season.

The money raised will go into the coffers of two deserving charities who work with families in trouble Women's Aid and Barnardos.

"What's a euro, when so much money will be spent on shopping this Christmas," said chef-patron Derry Clarke, at yesterday's campaign launch in the award-winning l'Ecrivain restaurant.

"We're delighted to be giving a helping hand to those who need it."

The organisers say it's not too late for other restaurants who wish to participate in the fundraiser to get involved. Two years ago Women's Aid raised more than €10,000 when it ran its own dining-out campaign.

"In homes where there is domestic violence, mealtimes are often very fraught and tense which is in direct contrast to the pleasure most of us get from dining out," said Women's Aid director Denise Charlton.

Vicky Brown, Barnardos' fundraising manager, said: "Some children who attend Barnardos services have witnessed domestic violence in the home, and we work to support these children and their families."

She said the month-long dining out campaign was a very simple and enjoyable way for the public to support families.

Women's Aid provides information, support and access to refuge for women and their children who are victims of domestic violence. Research shows that almost one in five Irish women experiences domestic violence.

Some 64% of women who were assaulted in the home said their children had witnessed it. The organisation receives an average of 9,000 calls annually on its national freephone helpline 1800 341 900.

Barnardos helps vulnerable children transform their lives to fulfil their potential. The charity works with 5,000 families annually across Ireland who face poverty, disadvantage, drug and alcohol misuse and domestic violence.