TREE OF HOPE launched its most ambitious fundraiser yet, Dine and Donate, at Tonbridge Old Fire Station last week.
The Tonbridge children’s charity, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, is calling on supporters to host an eating event of any kind from lunches and dinners to afternoon tea, or even a cocktails and canapé party.
Great British Bake Off finalist Jane Beedle did a baking demonstration and donated a bespoke cake which was iced in the Tree of Hope colours. She also judged a Great British Icing Challenge, which was won by Dawn Prebble.
Guests included the Mayor of Tonbridge & Malling, Cllr Roger Dalton, and everyone was treated to hot mulled cider donated by Turners Cider.
John McMahon, Managing Director of MCM Net Ltd and a keen supporter, said: “The energy and dedication of the team at Tree of Hope is highly contagious. I challenge anyone to meet them and not come away wanting to do everything possible to support them.”
“They are passionate about helping the children and families they work with, and when they came to us with the idea of Dine and Donate they had us hooked from the start.”
Tree of Hope helps children with a disability or illness by supporting their families to raise the money they need to pay for specialist care that is not freely available on the NHS.
Gill Gibb, its Chief Executive, said: “We are encouraging people to have fun with this initiative and to invite friends, families, neighbours or colleagues to get together for a whole host of food-related activities – anything from afternoon teas, brunches, curry nights and murder mystery evenings to informal kitchen suppers.
“We hope they will then challenge their guests to get involved and host their very own event.
“This will raise vital funds to enable us to support an ever-increasing number of families with disabled or seriously ill children to fundraise for specialist equipment, treatment and therapies that otherwise would be unavailable to them.”
The charity’s website features recipes donated by Tree of Hope’s celebrity supporters. To find out more, visit www.dineanddonate.uk
