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Cake for Thought

Yesterday I saw something that upset me very much - a young mum carrying a baby outside Waitrose was surrounded by big security guards on their walkie talkies, all very sternly saying, “this isn’t paid for, this isn’t paid for, this isn’t paid for” and she was desperately going through the stuff she needed, having, what seemed to me, been caught out shop lifting some items. I only had a peek at some of the stuff and it was baby formula, nappies, cans of food etc. Thinking about it ever since, I still feel awful that I felt intimidated by the scene at the time and was also stressed by a fussy X-ray and didn’t go over and offer to help ☹️. Of course, I don’t know anything about the circumstances, whether she was a repeat offender, or what led her to that state of desperation where she had to shop lift essentials for her baby, and anyone is well within their right to feel as cynical or compassionate about it.

Vegan Cake Recipe

It’s however made me think lots about how I could’ve acted in hindsight, with the very little info I had in the moment. And it’s also made me look into what help is already out there that can be accessed by mums and families struggling with babies. I’ve now discovered food banks run by The Trussell Trust (Registered Charity No. 1110522) - they offer not just food but essentials such as nappies, personal hygiene, baby food etc too. 

Peter Rabit Cake

So here is where I’d really like to help out more. Each week we generally create a new cake design or product like the Fat Unicorn Cake for our cake collection, or I create a new recipe, like our vegan drip cake for the blog, and we either end up eating way too much cake, or we bin them (we already donate cakes to our nearest hospitals’ children’s wards on a fairly regular basis), which seems a shame. I’d love to auction the cake and try and raise as much as possible and donate 100% of the money raised for the cake to The Trussell Trust - not part of the proceeds, or the “profits”, but straight up allll of the money for the cake. So in effect I’ll be making the cake (or cupcakes, or loaf cakes, or who knows, even a croquembouche!) with our awesome ingredients, taking the pics, sharing on Instagram and setting a base starting auction price of £15, and delivering it to the highest bidder (in London!) - of course I’d love to raise as much money as possible but even if we get £15 raised each week then that’s £15 towards helping a struggling parent and child. And again, it’s not donating the “profits”, it’s donating every penny received for the cake.

 Vegan Mini Loaf Cakes

I know I could just donate my own cold hard cash, but 1) I’ll be bate, it wouldn’t be much, 2) It would be better to donate cash raised via the cake as opposed to just donating the cake each time cuz...well, can’t pay for nappies with cake innit, 3) I hope this spreads some awareness on what help is available out there for anyone who may find themselves in tough times. 

 

So I’m taking the plunge - I know I don’t have that big a following or that large a reach that could make serious ripples in the ocean, and I may end up embarrassingly not getting even 1 bid and the husband will feel obliged to open up 15 fake accounts and bid the minimum £15 just cuz he weirdly loves me and wants my face saved but if I don’t try I certainly won’t get anywhere. I really hope you guys come on board on the cause - Cake is Cake after all! And I promise it’ll be good, you only have to look at the new Fat Unicorn Cake, the Vegan Ice Cream Drip Cake or even the mini loaf cakes to see the kind of stuff that’s going to go on auction, and it’s very likely to be an absolute steal whilst going to a good cause like the Trussell Trust food bank.

Vegan Fat Unicorn Cake

I’m excited, nervous and very anxious to gooooo! :)

Lots of love,

Reshmi

10 Responses

Sophie

Sophie

June 21, 2018

This is a brilliant idea! Definitely go for it, I’m sure you’ll raise loads. I’ll bid!!

Seon Beiad

Seon Beiad

June 21, 2018

I love the idea and all for it … I don’t live in London but I am sure I can have cake delivered to some of my loves 😜😁👍

Chatranong Snidvongs

Chatranong Snidvongs

June 20, 2018

I was behind this young mum with a screaming baby in her arm, she was about £4 & a bit short for her shopping. So i offered to pay instead of her going through the dreading ‘what i need most’ and they really weren’t luxury items just necessity, milk bread eggs toilet rolls etc. Everybody behind me was huffing & puffing because obviously when you live in totteridge this just never happen, then Lord behold the old bat at the till utter in her disapproval tone " YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO THAT, THIS ISN’T YOUR PROBLEM" I saw red and literally bit her head off and tell her to just shut up and give me the final bill. She never spoke to me again till this day😅. I also made a complain to Waitrose and they gave me £20 voucher as an apologies😒. I kept it in my purse for about 3 months until i bumped into the same young mum and gave it to her.

Aysha

Aysha

June 19, 2018

Hindsight is such a wonderful thing. I have been in similar situations myself where I have kicked myself for not stepping in and doing something or saying something..
Cake auction sounds great! Xx

Christine

Christine

June 19, 2018

This is a lovely idea and a great cause will it just be an auction or maybe a raffle id you continue? Best of luck with it!

Melanie Moon

Melanie Moon

June 19, 2018

Legend! What an awesome idea.
I think we all need to look out for others! It’s nice to know we’re not alone in this big busy wonderful but sometimes stressful & expensive world. X

Sarah Davies

Sarah Davies

June 19, 2018

Awesome idea, now if only you could post the cakes… all the best with the auctions, I’ll bid if you post the :)

Sian

Sian

June 19, 2018

You are a straight-up bonafide legend and this is a wonderful thing to do. Go for it. And darn it, if we weren’t in Bristol I’d be bidding big bucks for one of those bad boys! x

Devika

Devika

June 19, 2018

This is such a wonderful idea Reshmi!
Apart from being an exceptional artist, since your cakes are truly a piece of art, you also have a heart of gold!
Much love xx

Fiona

Fiona

June 19, 2018

Lovely idea! Great charity helping people in distress and need.

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