259 CAKEY BAKEOFF BONUS...

I mentioned in my last post that I also snagged a few more donations for the pot, which pushed the total up even further. We raised yet more funds as Kristen, our Communications Manager in the office, organised a Great British Bake Off competition in which staff were asked to bake a cake, and everyone else was encouraged to donate money to buy a slice.

The theme was to celebrate the NHS's birthday, and they also added our trip to the brief, which was lovely. As I did the journey, I was asked to be a guest judge - imagine going to work and being paid to eat cake?! Best. Morning. Ever.

We had six brave bakers step up, and they didn't disappoint. Each cake was delicious. Honestly, I'm not just saying that; they were shop quality, and I'm not talking some scabby corner shop in a rough part of town either; I'm talking high street of a bougie suburb surrounded by countryside.

There had to be a winner, and after the scores were totted up, Michelle, one of our Programme Managers, took the 1st Place rosette, a thoroughly deserved result. Not only was her cake delicious, but she nailed the theme brief too; I mean, look at it!!!

I chatted with Michelle after she was awarded the rosette, and she asked if I had noticed the detail on the little car on top? It turns out her daughter hand-painted the little car, including adding the stripes and the little number 27 on the doors - fantastic! She said I could keep the car, and it is currently on the desk in front of me, reminding me of our trip and her stunning cake.

Kristen got in touch yesterday to say she had just counted the bag of money raised from the bake sale and there was a whopping £123 inside. People also donated directly through our JustGiving page too, and added another £95, meaning our last push for donations in work added a handsome £218 to the total.

I think we have reached a natural conclusion to the fundraising, so our final total is £3,655, a good amount for New Start, we think, and much, much more than the £1,000 we originally hoped to raise when we started this daft endeavour. Thank you to EVERYONE who took the time to put their hands in their pocket for such an amazing cause.