MONEY MATTERS
Dough from Special Pizza Profits Being Thrown at Hip Hop Charity to Help Community’s Most Vulnerable Plymouth businesses demonstrate the circular economy of charity with Street Factory
A
popular Devon-based fish and chip shop has just
inspirational services to the local community. In addition to
launched a brand-new addition to its takeaway
this, he has recently been shortlisted for the finals in the SME
menu. The ‘Toby G Special’ pizza, (made up of a
National Business Awards within the Business Hero category
garlic base, onion and jalapeños, with a sweet chilli dip) was
with the winners being announced in December.
created to pay homage to Hip Hop legend, MBE Toby Gorniak
To celebrate the launch of the ‘Toby G Special’ pizza,
as a celebration of his exceptional services to the community.
talented local rapper and member of the Street Factory
St Judes Grill, based on Cecil Avenue, Plymouth, Devon is
extended family, Jacob Earley also known as Straight Up
donating a generous £1 from every ‘Toby G Special’ pizza
Jacob has written and performed a fun rap song about the
sold back to Toby’s Street Factory charity who will use it to
pizza initiative for a promotional music video. Winner of
help the most vulnerable in society.
BBC Young Dancer 2019, Max Revell features in the music
Toby G, as he is informally known, was awarded an MBE by the Duke of Cambridge in 2018 for his Outstanding
video which was filmed in St Judes Grill by Josh Rumbold, alongside Toby G himself.
Community Contribution and just last month he starred in
Street Factory Co-Founder, Toby G said, “Having a pizza
the Rick Astley video for Children in Need, as one of the
named after you is such an honour, in a completely different
Unsung Heroes of 2020.
way! When St Judes Grill contacted us with the idea, we
Street Factory, run by Toby and his wife Jo Gorniak, was set
were blown away and we absolutely love it! So we wanted
up 14 years ago and has since supported young people via
to give back and making the music video was so much fun.
access to Hip Hop dance sessions, mentoring, clothing, food
Huge kudos to the team for their collaboration and for the
and vital transport through an unspoken sponsorship based
laughs. We knew that this would put a smile on faces which
on their individual needs. The organisation has very recently
is so needed at the moment but all jokes aside, it also sends
been awarded official charity status which will enable them
a really important message - that is to support each other
to further help the people in the community who need it the
during difficult times. We made the music video to help raise
most through fundraising, funding streams and Gift Aid.
awareness of St Judes Grill during the COVID-19 pandemic
Some of the issues and challenges facing the Street
and repay some of their kind karma with their donations to
Factory community include bullying, mental health issues
Street Factory. We know it’s hard for so many right now and
of all kinds, low aspiration, racism, poverty, ageism, special
that’s why we are so grateful that £1 from every pizza sold
and additional needs, homelessness, unemployment and
will be coming back into Street Factory to help us to help
lack of immediate opportunities. The Street Factory service
those most vulnerable.”
therefore supports a major number of people through these personal journeys on a day-to-day basis.
Toby G continued, “We would like to thank all of our Street Factory family for engaging in this and who have very kindly
Daily, Toby continues to use all of his energies to bring
donated their time to make the music video. This includes
about constructive change and create a path that leads
amazing filmographer and photographer, Josh Rumbold,
to a better life, not only for himself but for everyone in his
incredible rapper, Jacob Earley and hugely talented winner
extended ‘Street Factory Family’ together with his wife Jo
of this year’s BBC Young Dancer, Max Revell. All of these have
Gorniak. His influence seems to have no boundaries as he
been with us for over ten years collectively and we are so
is continually nominated for awards and recognised for the
very proud of them.”
critical community work he and his team deliver every single day.
Owner of St Judes Grill, Amir Ahmad said, “We were delighted to create the Toby G Special. Toby and the Street
This includes a nomination for the Daily Mirror Pride of
Factory team have helped us over the years so we know first-
Britain Award in the Lockdown Heroes category for his
hand the value of the life-changing work they do. Just like
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Fastfood Professional • December and January 2020-21
December and January 2020-21 • Fastfood Professional
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