Acorn House gets baking to raise some dough for the return of Big Chocolate Tea

Friends and supporters of The Sick Children’s Trust came together earlier this month in choc-tastic style to celebrate ten years of the charity’s most indulgent fundraising campaign, Big Chocolate Tea.

The Sick Children’s Trust, which runs free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation supporting families with seriously ill children in hospital, kicked off their Big Chocolate Tea month on Wednesday 1 May with a chocolate-themed party at its Acorn House, located at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge.

Families, past and present, joined staff, volunteers and other supporters for a cuppa and a cake to raise some serious dough for The Sick Children’s Trust. The charity, which runs ten houses across the country, supports families in the most difficult of times with free accommodation just moments from their child’s hospital bedside. It costs £30 to support a family for one night, with vital emotional and practical support. Big Chocolate Tea is the charity’s longest-standing fundraising campaign, which this year is challenging participants to raise £300 to support a family for ten nights as part of its milestone anniversary. Abi Abdel-aal, Acorn House Manager, along with her team raised an incredible £560 which will go towards supporting a family for three weeks. She said:

“When a family comes to stay with us, you can see the relief when we tell them there is no charge and we will support them for as long as needed. It’s one less thing for them to worry about, meaning that they can focus solely on being there for their child, the place they need to be.

“We were delighted to see so many families make the journey back to say hello and tell us how their little ones were getting on. It was a really good opportunity for our current families to speak to others who had been through a similar situation.

“To see so many come together to support The Sick Children’s Trust was wonderful, we’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who came along and helped raise £560.”

Since beginning in 2009, Big Chocolate Tea has raised almost £300,000 providing around 10,000 nights of accommodation to families with children in hospitals across the UK. This year, The Sick Children’s Trust is challenging supporters to raise £300 to support a family for ten nights by hosting their own Big Chocolate Tea event. Community Fundraising Officer at The Sick Children’s Trust, Katy Ellis, said:

“This year is our tenth annual Big Chocolate Tea fundraiser – and we’re making it our biggest, best and most chocola-tea yet! A Big Chocolate Tea is a get-together with some delicious sweet treats to help raise funds for The Sick Children’s Trust. In May this year we’re challenging everyone to put on their aprons to help us celebrate by throwing a Big Chocolate Tea event – on any day throughout the month.

“It’s simple to get started - pick a day in May that works for you, bake some chocola-tea treats, and raise lots of money. You could organise a Big Chocolate Tea with friends, family, work colleagues or even strangers! For a free fundraising pack and ideas on how to get started, visit our website or give me a call on 020 7638 4066.”

For further information about The Sick Children’s Trust and Big Chocolate Tea, please visit www.sickchildrenstrust.org/big...

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