Pictured above: James Day of Dine With Us, helping the Haiti Earthquake Appeal

The brainchild of Shropshire based 'Virtual-foodie'  James Day of Midlands Dining Offers and ratings Guide www.dinewithus.co.uk who has launched an initiative to encourage diners to support their local restaurants, whilst supporting the victims of the Haiti earthquake appeal.

James Day explains "Seeing the recent news pictures and stories I thought that we must do something to help. It all puts our own  current concerns in perspective.  

Dine with us ~ For Less, is a simple initiative which is being supported by our restaurant customers and their diners, and we encourage others to join. Simply, diners can then buy a 'Dinewithus ~ For Less' loyalty savings card for just £4.95 from any of the participating venues and save anything from 15% to 50% off their food bill for 3 months. 100% of the sales of our membership cards sold before Valentine's Day will be donated to the appeal.

Diners and restaurants who wish to support our initiative can simply visit our website, and view a list of venues who are supporting the appeal, or register their own restaurant to be included. We will also be giving the restaurants who join our scheme the opportunity to donate £25 from their half price listing fee to the cause - in turn they will hopefully see an upturn in diners who need enticing out at this time of year."

James Day who launched a similar initiative for the Tsunami appeal in 2004, hopes to top his figure of over £1000 raised in conjunction with the regions diners with the new Dinewithus ~ For Less scheme.

Alex Nicoll, who operates restaurants in Shropshire and Worcestershire commented "Our venues are fully behind the Dinewithus ~For Less appeal. It's a great way for diners to give, and save, at the same time".

For more details and how you can register as a diner or restaurant, and help raise needed funds visit www.dinewithus.co.uk and follow the 'Dinewithus ~ For Less'  links.

Diners can also be kept right up to day by following twitter.com/Dine_withus

Some of the regions chefs showing their 'loyalty' to the scheme include...Felice Tocchini of Fusion Brasserie Worcestershire, David Pegler of The Old Rec, Worcester and Tim Wesley Hadley Park Telford.