When expert baker Nicola Bradshaw contacted staff at Pilgrims Hospices to say she would like to donate a prize winning cake to the charity, they were thrilled.
Nicola, from Westgate, runs her own small business, The Little Brown Fairy Cake Company. She uses her artistic skills to create cakes for all occasions. Her beautiful handmade ‘Christmas Carol cake’ has just made a star appearance at an international competition held in Birmingham, where it wowed judges to win a bronze award.
She wanted to take the opportunity to support the hospice, as she says it’s a charity that is very close to her heart. Nicola said: “My dad William was cared for by Pilgrims 15 years ago and the support we received as a family was fantastic.
“I thought this was the perfect way to say thank you. My mum Betty, who sadly passed away in July this year, was the reason I started making cakes as she was also a baker and I still use a lot of her baking equipment.”
Nicola and husband Dave visited the hospice on Saturday (November 11) to hand over the award winning creation, which will now become the first prize for the charity’s Christmas raffle. It’s a rich fruitcake made using her mum’s special recipe and is edible right down to the mince pies made from icing. It will make a fantastic centre piece for someone’s Christmas celebrations.
Caroline Dixon, community fundraising officer, said: “The cake is a real work of art. The detail that Nicola has included especially in the facial features is amazing. We feel privileged that Nicola has donated this to Pilgrims, it really is so life like.”
Tickets for the special Christmas raffle are available from Pilgrims Hospices Thanet in reception and the draw takes place on Wednesday 20 December at midday.
Other prizes in the raffle include a flat screen television donated by Mrs Sheevals, a hamper, a giant teddy and box of wine and beer.
Karen Kenward, community fundraising manager for Thanet, added: “I was so overwhelmed by the detail and work that has gone into producing such a wonderful cake, you really have to see it to believe it. The generosity of our local community in support of our charity is just incredible. Let’s hope the raffle raises lots of money for such a great cause, thank you.”