We launched our latest fundraising campaign, the Big Tea Party, in spectacular style.

The hospice’s café was beautifully laden with all sorts of deliciously baked goods, pots of tea and pink fizz lemonade, to celebrate the launch of the hospice fundraiser. Supporting the initiative is passionate cook and author Melissa Hemsley, who is encouraging the whole community to get involved by either holding or attending a tea party, at home, in their workplace, in the community or even at school to raise funds for the Woodford-Green hospice.

To celebrate the launch, Melissa hosted the vintage-inspired tea party today with the editor-in-chief of Sainsbury’s magazine, Helena Lang, for a group of mums who are supported by Haven House. We provide care for children who are seriously ill and who have life-limiting conditions. The mums meet regularly at the hospice over tea and cake and offer each other support.

Melissa, columnist for Vogue magazine and a champion for food sustainability, said: “I am delighted to support Haven House’s Big Tea Party fundraising campaign. Baking for me, is a wonderful way to use up all the odds and ends that I may have in my cupboards and figure out what I can make with them. I’ve always got bananas that need some love and I’m a woman with a bowl full of eggs in my kitchen at all times, so throwing something sweet together is a waste-free way of making everyone happy.

  

“There’s nothing quite like the smell of something yummy baking in the oven. Especially when you’ve got loved ones coming over and you all get to sit down with a lovely cup of tea and wind down.”

She added: “The Big Tea Party is a great opportunity to get together with friends and family while raising money for the vital care and support that Haven House provides to children and families. Let’s all spread the word and start hosting tea parties in aid of Haven House, it’s a brilliant cause.”

You can hold your Big Tea Party on any day of the year, however this year the hospice are holding its first ever Big Tea Party Week, which runs from 8-16 June.

Ginny Donnelly, Community Fundraiser for Haven House, said: “The whole nation loves a cup of tea. So why not hold a Big Tea Party and get together with friends, family or colleagues for cake, a cuppa and a catch up to celebrate and support your local Hospice? 

“If you like to bake, celebrating a special occasion or just looking for time to relax and catch up then The Big Tea Party is for you. After all, any day is a good excuse to eat cake! All the money raised will help us provide vital care to families when it matters most.”

Haven House would like to say a special thank you to Treasured Tables for providing the amazing vintage-inspired spread.

To find out more information or to register for your Big Tea Party fundraising pack click here.