During April 2013 people from Sheffield will be enjoying their favourite
chocolate treat with a cup of tea in support of families of sick children being
treated in hospital.
The Sick Children’s Trust’s Big Chocolate Tea Party campaign encourages people to host chocolate”“themed tea parties to raise funds for the charity, its Treetop House, in Sheffield, supports families of sick children being treated at the Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
The campaign has got the backing of a number of celebrities including Coronation Street actress, Kym Lomas, Casualty actress, Gemma Atkinson and broadcaster, Alice Beer.
Kym said: “As a mum I know the importance of needing and wanting to be close to your child when it is first born ““ just being able to hold them is so special. This is even more important with a premature baby as the need to bond is so strong in the early days. I am delighted to support The Sick Children’s Trust’s Big Chocolate Tea Party and encourage everyone to take part and host parties so that the charity can continue its work ensuring that families are kept together when they need it most.”
Last year the charity raised nearly £18,000 and has high fundraising hopes of doubling that this year with the help from its supporters, teapigs who is supplying tea goodies and Green & Black’s’ who has donated mini chocolate bars ““ both for the charity’s party packs.
And if you are looking for the perfect choice of cuppa to bring out those chocolatey flavours at your Big Chocolate Tea Party, research by teapigs shows that Darjeeling Earl Grey is the best match to enhance your chocolate treat.
Louise Cheadle, tea taster at teapigs explains: “The delicate Bergamot tones help to bring out the bitter qualities of the chocolate by adding a delicate amount of citrus to the taste. It is also deliciously aromatic making the whole experience a brightening fuel for the senses. It’s best drank without milk for a refreshing drink allowing you to eat optimum chocolate.”
Since 2009 thousands of people from across the UK and overseas have taken part in The Big Chocolate Tea Party, helping to keep families together in the charity’s eight ‘Homes from Home’ across the UK.
Celebrity supporter, Gemma Atkinson added: “Hosting a Big Chocolate Tea Party is a fun and easy way to show your support for this great charity. I love to bake and can’t wait to start creating some chocolate goodies for my family and friends to enjoy with a cuppa.”
*Joining in the campaign couldn’t be easier. To receive a Big Chocolate Tea Party Pack please visit www.sickchildrenstrust.org or email chocolate@sickchildrenstrust.org.*
There are also lots of downloadable recipe cards created by famous chefs Mary Berry, Simon Rimmer and Valentine Warner.
Additional celebrity quotes:
“As one of The Sick Children’s Trust’s Vice Presidents I have seen first hand the work the charity undertakes with families of sick children and I am proud to be associated with them. The Big Chocolate Tea Party campaign is the perfect excuse to get together with your friends and family members all for a great cause.” Alice Beer, Broadcaster