TEA party hosts and budding bakers all over Cornwall are being urged to join with family and friends online to support Marie Curie.

The charity wants everyone to join in with its annual Blooming Great Tea Party, which is going virtual this summer.

The end of life charity says it needs people to bake up a storm more than ever this year, to make up for the devastating effect the coronavirus crisis has had on its income.

’While staying indoors is the new normal, throwing a virtual tea party is a fun way to stay connected to the ones you love during this time and a great way to support nurses working on the frontline of the crisis,’ said a Marie Curie spokesperson.

’In people’s homes across Cornwall, the charity is caring for people with terminal illnesses, as well as people with Covid-19, and is protecting the NHS by keeping patients away from hospital. However, as the charity has stepped up its support for the nation, its fundraising income has been devastated by the impact of lockdown measures.’

All you need to do to have a ’Blooming Great Virtual Tea Party’, says

celebrity ambassador, Mel Giedroyc, is to download Zoom, Skype or Houseparty and connect with friends and family while raising some money at the same time.

’Marie Curie needs to raise a massive £2.5million each week to care for the tens of thousands of people who need its nursing and hospice care,’ said Mel.

’This year, the amazing nurses and frontline staff need you more than ever, as the fundraising events they rely on have all been cancelled.

’Every last crumb of the money you raise will help people at the end of their lives. So please join me by raising a cuppa, and some money, in your lounge or garden for the Marie Curie Nurses on the front line.’

Lynda Thomas, Marie Curie Community Fundraiser for Cornwall said: ’Our Blooming Great Tea Party looks a little different this year but I think everyone needs an excuse to meet up with their friends and family – online of course – and check in on the people they love.

’If you can do that while raising some money for Marie Curie, then your generous donations will enable us to help even more people at the end of their lives.

’We hope by going virtual we’ll be able to raise the vital funds we need to keep supporting people in our communities across Cornwall.’

To register as a Blooming Virtual Tea Party host visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/teaparty or call 0800 716 146 for you fundraising pack full of hints, tips, recipes and fundraising ideas.

Why not try out Lynda’s Coffee, Walnut and Baileys cake recipe?

Coffee, Walnut and Baileys cake

Cake:

8oz butter or soft margarine

8oz caster sugar

8oz self-raising flour

4 eggs

1 tsp baking powder

1 tablespoon coffee essence

2oz chopped walnuts

Filling:

¼ pt fresh double cream

And a good dash of baileys

Topping:

Glace icing made with approx. 4oz icing sugar and approx. 2 table spoons of coffee essence

Truffles and flaked almonds

Method:

Grease two 8” sandwich tins and line the base of each with greased baking parchment.

Cream together the butter and sugar. Add the flour, baking powder and then eggs and coffee essence. Mix together and then add the chopped walnuts.

Divide into two tins and bake for 25 mins on 180 oC/ Fan 160 oC/Gas 4 until well risen and golden brown.

Whip cream until stands in soft peaks, gently mix in baileys.

When sponge is cold remove from tins and sandwich together with the cream mixture.

For topping mix icing sugar with coffee essence to make a spreadable icing, make sure it is not too runny. Spread over the top of the cake and decorate with truffles and flaked almonds.

Enjoy!