309 backpacks, filled with warm clothing, sleeping bags, toiletries and flasks were packed and handed out to rough sleepers

A team of volunteers from Zonal, the UK’s largest hospitality technology company, took to the streets of Edinburgh recently as part of a new ‘Winter Warmth’ campaign in partnership with charity, Only A Pavement Away.

Fourteen volunteers from Zonal helped pack 309 backpacks, filled with warm clothing, sleeping bags, toiletries and flasks and worked with the Only A Pavement Away team to distribute the kits around local hostels to support rough sleepers in Scotland’s capital. The event on 11th March was the charity’s first in Scotland.

This is the first campaign that Zonal employees have participated in since recently announcing its partnership with Only A Pavement Away. The charity helps those living on the streets, as well as ex-offenders and vulnerable veterans, find employment in the hospitality industry. In addition to the Winter Warmth launch in Scotland, Zonal is also supporting the charity’s Annual Cook and Dine fundraising event later this year, with various team members volunteering on the day both back and front of house.

Stuart McLean, CEO of Zonal, said: “As a business with its home in Edinburgh, being part of the Winter Warmth campaign is a great way for us to lend our support to those sleeping rough as well as to help Scotland’s hospitality industry. We aim to continue helping the charity’s vital work in the months ahead, especially after the incredibly challenging time the industry has experienced.”

Greg Mangham, Founder of Only a Pavement Away, said “We believe that our work is more vital than ever, so launching our first campaign in Scotland is incredibly important to us. We’re delighted to have partnered with a leading business such as Zonal for this campaign and are grateful for the support the team offered on the day. We’re looking forward to collaborating again in the near future as we expand our support in what has been a really tough year for the sector.”

Zonal’s support of Only A Pavement Away builds on the company’s ongoing commitment to form meaningful partnerships with key industry bodies in order to support the whole hospitality industry. As well as this new tie-up, Zonal currently supports the Institute for Hospitality and UKHospitality as well as partnerships with the digital charity box, Pennies and Pub Aid.