Hampshire Youth MP and Winchester College pupil, Aryaveer Baljee is making national impact with a local cause through his new initiative, Pounds 4 Plates, in support of The Winchester Beacon.
Partnering with leading London restaurant group MW Eat, Aryaveer rallied support from iconic restaurants including Amaya, Veeraswamy, Chutney Mary, and Masala Zone. Between 14th and 28th April 2025, diners at these restaurants saw a voluntary 0.25% charge added to their bill, with 100% of proceeds donated to The Winchester Beacon.
The result? A fantastic £3,000 raised to help people rebuild their lives beyond homelessness.
“As of 2024, at least 350,000 people in England are homeless,” said Aryaveer. “As the Youth MP for Central Hampshire, I feel a duty to support those facing homelessness. I’m proud to back a local charity like The Winchester Beacon and raise national awareness of this urgent issue.”
Aryaveer’s dedication goes beyond fundraising. As part of his school’s outreach programme, he also volunteers at The Winchester Beacon, helping with evening kitchen duties.
“We are really impressed by Aryaveer’s initiative and ongoing commitment,” said Nancy Judge, Communications Officer at The Winchester Beacon. “The £3,000 he raised will make a meaningful difference to the people we support. Not only has he raised vital funds—he also gives his time to help our team every week.”
Aryaveer hopes the London pilot of Pounds 4 Plates will serve as a blueprint for future rollouts in cities across the UK—raising funds for food banks, night shelters, and homelessness charities.
