Chester-based restaurant group pledge to continue their efforts to raise funds for their nominated charity, Cash For Kids, as they add hundreds of weekly meals to their campaign to help local families after smashing their fundraising target…

Popular local restaurant group, Hickory’s Smokehouse, have raised over £50,000 in just one week to help local families affected by the current Coronavirus crisis.

The team behind the family friendly restaurants, who have branches locally in West Kirby, Southport, Chester, Rhos-On-Sea and across the North West and Midlands, decided to kick-start a Just Giving campaign to help their nominated charity partners, Radio City’s Cash For Kids, deliver much needed support to families across the region.

The campaign, which saw Hickory’s join forces with Liverpool FC player Ben Woodburn, who is currently on loan at Oxford FC and his ex-teammate Danny Ward, has now smashed its original target of £50k but the Hickory’s team are not stopping there.

Hickory’s Smokehouse Founder Neil Mc Donnell has said that the team will ‘keep on pushing the total’ over the coming weeks and said he has been ‘overwhelmed’ by the generosity shown by regular guests, team members and supporters from across the region.

“We have been totally overwhelmed by how quickly we have been able to reach the target thanks to the selfless generosity of so many of our guests and our own team here at Hickory’s. Cash For Kids do an amazing job and we just knew we had to get behind them with this campaign. It’s a tough time for so many people so I know every penny will be put to good use and go to help hundreds of local families who are facing real hardships right now.”

Alongside their amazing cash appeal Hickory’s have also been funding, cooking and delivering hundreds of hot meals via the charity to families who need some extra support.

The restaurant, which has been closed since lockdown was imposed, have fired up their Chester smokers to produce a range of their signature dishes to ensure that as many families as possible have a hot, home-cooked meal each week.

Cash For Kids Charity Manager Laura Charlton commented, “Hickory’s, who have been a dedicated supporter of our charity for some time, are really committed to helping us make a difference to supporting the lives of local disadvantaged families and children. We have been completely bowled over by everyone’s generosity and how hard the team have worked to raise these funds for us and help with much needed hot meals each week.”

Hickory’s has received a wealth of support from local suppliers and businesses from across the region with Westbridge Foods stepping in to provide fresh chicken and the popular Cheshire Farm Ice Cream attraction providing free play passes for families to come and enjoy a much-needed day out once restrictions have lifted.

“It’s at times like this that you really see the true character of people and we have been very humbled by the levels of support we have received from colleagues in the industry, some of our amazing suppliers, our guests and of course our amazing team here at Hickory’s,” said Neil. “Everyone has their own worries right now, so to see people giving what they can and supporting those less fortunate is a very special thing.”

You can still donate! Here’s how…

You can donate direct via the special Just Giving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hickoryscashforkids

Please tick the box marked Gift Aid so that Cash For Kids can claim an extra 25% on top of your donation.

For anyone wanting to claim tax relief or if you fall in the following criteria (pay higher rate tax, claim tax credits, have a higher personal allowance because of your age, get married couples allowance) – Cash For Kids can provide a receipt to be submitted with your tax return.

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