An award-winning Italian restaurant group has raised a staggering sum for a children’s charity thanks to a novel scheme to give kids the chance to dine for £1.

Edinburgh restaurants Vittoria, Vittoria on the Bridge and La Favorita have raised more than £5000 for the Forth One and Forth2 Cash for Kids appeal after introducing a special credit crunch-busting meal deal in April.

The restaurants offer families the chance to pay just £1 for a child’s meal at any of the three venues – with all of the money being donated towards the charity.

PR Success in Scotland

Owner Tony Crolla forwarded a cheque for £5404 to Forth One DJ Boogie, which will go towards providing grants for disabled and disadvantaged children in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife.

Tony said: “Many families are feeling the pinch because the recession, so we decided to offer them a bit of welcome relief during this difficult period.

“At the same time we wanted to do something to help sick and deprived children locally, so we came up with the initiative to give any child under 12 the chance to have a full meal from our children’s menu for just £1 – as long as they were accompanied by an adult eating from the a la carte menu.

“So far we have raised nearly £5500 in the first six months of the scheme and have given thousands of families to the chance to enjoy a meal out for less.

“Vittoria’s and La Favorita are Edinburgh’s friendliest family restaurants and it is heart-warming that we can extend this kindliness to children who are not quite so fortunate.

“We are absolutely delighted to have raised so much money for such a worthy cause and we hope that families across Edinburgh enjoyed helping us along the way.

“The initiative has worked so well and we will certainly be continuing it into the future – so a lot more money can be raised.”

Restaurant Public Relations

Evelyn Queen, charity manager for Radio Forth’s Cash 4 Kids Appeal, added: “Radio Forth’s Cash for Kids is absolutely delighted to receive such a generous cheque from Vittoria’s restaurants and La Favorita. 

“It was a wonderful and generous idea to have kids eat for £1, and to donate all these £1’s to help children with special needs who live in Edinburgh, The Lothians and Fife. 

“We rely totally on the generosity of listeners and local businesses, and this donation will really make a big difference and help to bring a smile to lots more special children.”

To qualify for the deal, parents must choose at least a main course from the a la carte menu at any of the three restaurants – Vittoria on the Bridge at George IV Bridge, Vittoria on Leith Walk or La Favorita in Leith Walk.  

In October La Favorita became the first pizzeria in Scotland to receive a prestigious One Star AA Rosette, joining the likes of top diners The Tower and The Witchery.

This month the La Favorita also won the Best Independent Delivery Service in the UK at the Pizza, Pasta and Italian Food Association annual awards which aim to find the best and most original Italian food in the UK.

Family-run Italian restaurant Vittoria has become an Edinburgh institution since opening on the city’s Leith Walk almost 40 years ago. The city centre branch opened on George IV Bridge in May 2007.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of Vittoria by the Holyrood PR, PR in Scotland.