The Hairy Bikers are encouraging people in the North East to host a virtual Cake Break to raise vital funds for people affected by multiple sclerosis (MS).
With millions still in lockdown, the celebrity chefs have teamed up with the MS Society to get friends and family together online to enjoy a Cake Break – whether via Zoom, Teams or House Party – on Friday 26 June.
More than 130,000 people live with MS in the UK, with a further one in four likely to know someone affected. The condition damages nerves in your body and makes it harder to do everyday things, like walk, talk, eat and think.
Dave Myers – whose mum lived with MS for over 30 years – is a proud supporter of the MS Society’s Cake Break. He says: “My mother lived with MS from when I was a boy until she died, and the MS Society was always a great support to us. Now more than ever, charities that are close to your heart need as much support as you can possibly give them.
“As the MS Society has grown it’s helped an awful lot of people with this unpredictable condition and, before the pandemic, it was making incredible strides to Stop MS. We simply cannot take our eye off the ball, and hosting a virtual Cake Break will help keep the momentum going.”
Whether you’re lucky enough to get your hands on some flour, or plan to showcase some ready-made treats, raising any kind of dough could make a big difference.
Dave explains: “As the majority of people won’t be able to taste each other’s bakes this year, now is the perfect time to get competitive and up the ante in your cake presentation! Si [Simon King] and I find covering cakes with icing sugar is a great way to hide imperfections without anybody knowing!”
Talking about life in lockdown, he adds: “I’ve been catching up on jobs that have needed doing for a decade, including cleaning out the food cupboard after we ate some popcorn that had expired in 2011! I’ve also been tinkering with my motorbikes and have taken my wife, Lil, out on the one we did our courting on. It spluttered a bit, but we made it home!
“This is the longest time I’ve gone without seeing Si since we met in 1992! But we talk most days on the phone and have a laugh on our live Instagram chats every Wednesday and Saturday – we haven’t missed a week!”
Nick Moberly, Chief Executive of the MS Society, says: “We’re extremely grateful to the Hairy Bikers for their support – something which our community needs more than ever. More than 130,000 people live with MS in the UK, and by organising a virtual Cake Break you’ll be raising vital funds so we can be there for anyone affected by MS, with better treatments, support and information.”
The MS Society website is packed with recipe ideas and inspiration, including an exclusive Blueberry and Banana Muffin recipe created by Dave and MS Society Ambassador and Paralympian, Kadeena Cox MBE.
Register for a MS Society Cake Break fundraising pack at cakebreak.org.uk and don’t forget to share your virtual Cake Breaks using #CakeBreak2020
