CHARITY
We use commitment to the burger to raise money and awareness for a number of charities close to our hearts. Since 2018 we have raised over £80,000 and trained over 100 individuals in Mental Health First Aid.
FOR MARK
In memory of our founder Zan's brother Mark, who tragically died in April 2017, Bleecker work closely with selected charities to help support and build awareness around mental health and addiction.
"My brother Mark worked his entire life in hospitality. From being a room service runner to managing restaurants, it was what he liked to do and where he fitted in. He spent a summer at Bleecker too. Mark was charming and funny and had a talent for commanding the attention of a room. He loved his maître d’ role, where he was especially popular with the older ladies of Miami Beach.
Mark suffered from mental illness and addiction. In April 2017, he overdosed and passed away at 35 years of age. Hospitality accepted Mark when other fields wouldn’t. It allowed him to stay himself whilst still struggling with this disease. For this I am grateful.
1st March 2025.
This year, all profits from Saturday 1st March, will be split equally between:
-
Stonewall Housing, the leading LGBTQ+ housing charity in the UK, providing specialist advice, advocacy, and support to LGBTQ+ people facing homelessness or unsafe housing situations. They also run safe accommodation services and work to influence housing policy.
-
The Outside Project, a grassroots initiative offering emergency shelter, support, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ people who are homeless or at risk. Their services include a community centre and crisis accommodation, ensuring that marginalised LGBTQ+ individuals have a safe space to turn to.
-
Mental Health First Aid England, a social enterprise that provides Mental Health First Aid training, equipping individuals and workplaces with the knowledge to support mental wellbeing. Their mission is to improve mental health literacy and create supportive environments in communities and businesses.
-
Young Minds, the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people's mental health. They offer resources, advice, and campaign for better mental health services to ensure that no young person faces mental health struggles alone.
Previous years.
Previous years' profits from this day have funded Mental Health First Aid training, through Changing Horizons, for over 100 individuals, including employees at Bleecker, KERB, Fallow, Elliots, PuttShack and more.
In 2024, we donated our profits to The Outside Project LGBTIQ+ Community Centre and Shelter and Stonewall Housing. Two incredible charities which support LGBTQ+ people with homelessness, mental health and domestic violence.
Changing Horizons was founded by Stu Skinner; a long-serving campaigner, consultant and Mental Health First Aid Instructor. Stu has worked on government campaigns, featured in BBC documentaries and worked extensively to challenge the stigma that causes so many to suffer in silence. Stu firmly believes that everyone has the right to a good quality of life and that conversations are the catalyst for change.