#RestaurantsUniteforNepal: Tweet leads to widespread industry support for earthquake appeal
A week ago the restaurant in Chester, owned by chef Gary Usher, posted a Tweet asking if other restaurants wanted to join them in raising money for AAH.
The UK-based charity currently has teams in Nepal providing emergency care to earthquake survivors in the rural districts of Nuwakot and Sindhupalchok.
Sticky Walnut itself is holding a fundraising dinner tonight (5 May) for the cause with all takings to be donated to the charity, while other restaurants have pledged to support it through a range of events after getting involved in the #RestaurantsUniteForNepal campaign.
Other businesses supporting the cause include Fuller's who will collect donations at the bar and MeatLiquor, Cinnamon Kitchen and Fazenda who will add donations to customer bills.
Chefs Aiden Byrne, Mat Follas, Romy Gill and James Durrant are just a few others who have lent their support.
Matthew White, director of fundraising & communications at AAH, said he had been overwhelmed by the industry's support and said social media had been a important part in spreading the word.
"The restaurant community is passionate and incredibly generous, and time and time again come together to support our work," he said. "This time it started as a simple call for support on Twitter. Then, as the devastation caused by the earthquake in Nepal became clearer, it quickly escalated into over 200 chefs and restaurants committing to raise money over the coming weeks. And more and more continue to join our work.
"We are very grateful to the food community; it’s because of support like this that Action Against Hunger can commit to reaching tens of thousands of people in Nepal who urgently need food and water.”
More than 7,200 people have been reported killed and thousands more injured in Nepal's earthquake, which struck over a week ago. AAH said the exact figure is still uncertain at this stage but is continuing to rise as rescue workers reach remote areas.
The charity estimates that two million survivors will need access to drinking water and high energy food, shelter and emergency supplies and psychological support to cope with the trauma caused by the event.
