Cultar Restaurant Group, which includes Cail Bruich, Brett and Shucks, have raised over £4,000 for Hospitality Health thanks to their creative way of turning water into money rather than wine.
The funds were raised by the Group through donations received from guests for the water that is provided with their meal. The water, dispensed from the Purezza fountain system, is provided free of charge, however, a donation is requested by staff when the guests ask for their bill.
Paul Charalambous, joint owner of the Cultar Restaurant Group said, “To align with our group’s sustainability ethos, we moved to filtered water at all our venues and this provides complimentary still or sparkling water for our guests enabling us to reduce our emissions on water being transported and stored.
“Following the industry’s recovery from Covid and our focus on mental health and wellbeing amongst our staff, we were delighted that Hospitality Health has fully funded several places for our staff to become Mental Health First Aiders. They are now in a position to support the entire team.
“The idea to fundraise through our water service was on the back of this vital training and we’re delighted that the money raised has allowed for additional courses to be offered, enabling more staff within the hospitality sector to be trained”.
Gordon McIntyre MBE founder of charity Hospitality Health, the Scottish charity dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of those in the hospitality and tourism industry, said, “We are so fortunate the Cultar Group have selected us as a partner in our ‘Water for Wellness’ campaign.
“The charity was formed just under five years ago to offer support to students and staff in the hospitality industry, in terms of wellbeing. Hospitality is a family and we wanted to help each other.
“We are trying to change the culture among employers too – there are some great ones but we’re trying to get ALL of them to put staff first and provide mental health support.
“Fundraising has been difficult during the past few years, but we are grateful to have been receiving funds from organisations such as the Cultar Group.
“ It costs us £350 to fully fund a delegate on a Mental Health First Aid certification course. The funds raised will be used to pay for and support further training for mental health first aiders, staff are becoming more anxious and on top of the cost-of-living crisis, they really need this help.”
Picture: Left to right Josh McCormack, Shucks Assistant Restaurant Manager, Gordon McIntyre MBE, Founder of Hospitality Health, with the cheque for £4030.
