News

Put the kettle on for charity

Early years settings around the country are being urged to indulge in a cream tea to raise money for Action Medical Research.

The children’s charity will be delivering boxes of scones and jam across the country to nurseries, schools, homes and businesses in a bid to raise funds for medical research.

The cream tea delivery has been brought back for a second time this year after more than 9,000 boxes were sold.

‘The reaction to our initial cream teas in a box campaign on 18 June was so overwhelming that we’ve decided to bring the deliveries back by popular demand,’ said Tracey Edwards, Action’s events manager.

Cream teas in a box include Yorkshire tea, two scones, strawberry jam, clotted cream, strawberry crème chocolates, as well as a knife and napkins.

Money raised will go towards 75 studies currently funded by Action Medical Research in hospitals, universities and specialist centres across the UK.

Ms Edwards added, ‘These little boxes mean so much more than just a delicious cream tea for people to enjoy – they’re a way of saving and changing children’s lives. We really want everyone to take a break on 7 August and put the kettle on because every pound we raise means we can help more children.’

The charity’s research focuses on treating sick and vulnerable babies - especially premature ones, helping children affected by disability and targeting rare diseases in children.

According to Ellie Evans, the charity’s fundraising communications officer, more than £100m has been spent on research since the charity’s creation in 1952, ‘virtually affecting every single person in the UK.’.

Some of the most important breakthroughs have included developing the use of ultrasound technology in pregnancy, testing the early rubella vaccine and discovering the importance of taking folic acid during pregnancy to prevent spina bifida.

Cream tea boxes can be ordered on the charity’s website for £6, with a minimum order of ten boxes.