LOTS of home-made cakes, buns and biscuits loaded the stall when a cake stall to raise funds for the Children’s Hospice South West was set up outside Helmores estate agents at Crediton last Saturday morning.

It is 25 years since the founding of the first Children’s Hospice at Barnstaple. There are now three in the South West and one part of the celebrations is the installation of handmade butterflies in each of the Hospice gardens until the end of September.

Another is the £50 Challenge and the cake stall on Saturday was part of the that. It is a fundraising initiative by the Hospice to encourage businesses across Devon to compete using their business heads, to turn the £50 into funds for the charity while raising awareness.

The stall was organised by Julie Bevan of Helmores and Jenny Wreford with the help of the Helmores Team and friends.

There was also the teddy bear looking for a name. This competition will continue with the bear in the Helmores office.

Julie told the Courier: “We raised a magnificent total of £339 altogether. Thanks to the Helmores team and their friends and family for the wonderful cakes that they made for us.

“Thanks also to Jackie Nott, her daughter Charlotte, Hayden Leach, Joseph and Charlotte Wreford and Sandy Eakers, who did a grand job helping Jenny and myself sell the cakes on the day.”

Helmores will also be holding an Office Cake Run on Tuesday, May 31, calling at all High Street offices with home-made cakes - and a donation bucket.

On Saturday, June 4, they will be at the Farmers’ Market with a mystery game and a chance to win vouchers. On June 11 there is to be a coffee morning at 8 Dulings Meadow, Copplestone and on June 26, they will be at the car boot sale at Exeter Livestock Centre.

To donate to the Helmores fundraising efforts, follow them on Facebook or Twitter or go to the Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/HelmoresCHSW .

Sue Read