According to organiser Peter Grove, editor of Menu Magazine, there are estimated to be some 23 million people eating out each year. This year the event will be partnering with a different charity from the past and this caused a re-think.

"We have decided to work with Oxfam for the forseeable future," commented Mr Grove, "and we felt the amounts raised in the past, whilst good, were just not good enough to make a real difference." "Then we thought what if everyone eating out donated just £1 a year - that would make a difference."

Now the problem is in actually climbing the ladder to that target and in due course it will be achieved by a national draw with tickets saleable through restaurants and pubs. This year the event will be based on a pilot scheme draw where each restaurant has a control sheet completed by the diner with donation and their names which are then entered in the national draw for a variety of prizes. No donation has to necessarily be made to enter.

"What we need now is the co-operation of companies in supplying prizes of all kinds - product, hotel rooms, holidays, vouchers etc - so that all items can be listed to diners and seen on the website (www.nationaleatingoutweek.com or www.nationalcurryweek.co.uk). With their help we can make a difference to hunger and poverty through Oxfam without asking too much of an already charity exhausted public" said Grove.

Any companies with something to offer are asked to advise the organiser as soon as possible. Also, in the past there has been just one major sponsor. Now it is felt that it is better for the project if the load can be spread so companies can be involved for very little outlay. It is a great annual event and for a great cause so get involved now.

For more information visit www.nationaleatingoutweek.com or www.nationalcurryweek.co.uk