A RESTAURANT is donating to children’s charity Rockinghorse by adding £1 to each bill.

The partnership between Sam’s of Brighton in Paston Place and the Brighton-based charity is planned to run until the start of summer.

Chef and co-owner Ollie Couillaud, 44, said: “We want to raise as much money as possible.

“Of course everyone is free to give more than one pound.

“If the fundraising goes really well, then we may extend the partnership to August.”

The restaurant owners are also trying to find an organisation or company to match the amount of money raised during the partnership.

Mr Couillaud, a father of a six-year-old son, supported a Wimbledon-based children’s theatre before and wanted to do something similar in Brighton.

The French-born chef joined the business last year after working for more than 20 years in London.

He said: “I didn’t know about Rockinghorse and when I moved down from London to Brighton I did some research and spoke to a couple of people.

“There was a good vibe when I met the people from the charity and it felt to me like the right charity to support.”

Cheryl Piper, communications officer at Rockinghorse, said: “The money from Sam’s will go towards providing vital services, facilities and medical equipment for the children and young people who use the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital and The Trevor Mann Baby Unit.”

Sam’s of Brighton is co-managed by Mr Couillaud and chef Sam Metcalfe, who opened the modern British restaurant in 2007.

Rockinghorse is the official fundraising arm of the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital.

Ms Piper said: “Rockinghorse is really well supported by the business community working in partnership with both national and local businesses.

“We receive fantastic support from the local restaurateurs and the Brighton and Hove Food and Drink Festival.”