Restaurant group Hickory's Smokehouse is helping families hit by the coronavirus crisis in partnership with their nominated charity Cash For Kids.
The popular local restaurant group, with sites in North Wales, Cheshire and the Midlands, has launched an ambitious campaign to raise £50,000.
The team behind the family friendly restaurants have created an emergency fund to help their nominated charity partners, Radio City’s Cash For Kids, to deliver much needed help and support to families across the region.
Cash For Kids launched an urgent appeal for help earlier this week after they were inundated with requests for help from a number of small charities and individuals who are desperate for support.
Hickory’s have joined forces with Welsh internationals, Danny Ward, who plays for Leicester, and Ben Woodburn, a young star at Liverpool FC, to help kick-start the campaign to raise the £50k as quickly as possible.
They have both donated personally to the campaign and are busy helping to spread the word about the initiative through their network of fans and football contacts.
The fund has already raised more than £26,000.
Hickory’s Smokehouse founder Neil Mc Donnell said that they team felt compelled to help when they heard about the hardships being faced by thousands of families across the region.
He said: "When we heard some of the stories from our contact Laura at Cash For Kids we were all incredibly moved.
"Although it’s a tough time for the hospitality industry we have always supported local charities here at Hickory’s and we felt now, more than ever, we had to step in and help all we can. We are lucky enough to have some amazing guests here at Hickory’s and at our other businesses Barlounge and Upstairs at The Grill in Chester and I know they will all dig deep and donate as much as they can.’
Cash For Kids charity manager Laura Charlton said: "Hickory’s, who have been a dedicated supporter of our charity, are really committed to helping us make a difference to supporting the lives of local disadvantaged families and children.
"The money will be used to cover essentials such as putting food on the table, providing everyday items like toothpaste and soap, keeping the electricity meter going and paying key bills."
People can donate direct via the special Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hickoryscashforkids.
