Woman whose mum received outstanding care at Peterborough’s Sue Ryder hospice holds virtual bake sale to raise crucial funding

When Emma Beaver saw on the news that charity Sue Ryder needed public support during these challenging times, she wanted to help as its Thorpe Hall hospice in Peterborough cared for her mother and her grandmother.

Emma, from Stilton, decided to create a Facebook fundraiser and hold a virtual bake sale for her family and friends to raise funds.

Emma will bake an array of delicious cakes such as brownies, tray bakes and chocolate chip cookies for everyone who has donated when it is safe to hand over the items.

“Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice cared for my mum in 2017 and my grandmother in 1999. It is such a special place and the staff who work there are angels; they are such caring people,” said Emma.

“Three months before she passed away my mum Barbara spent a month at the hospice receiving palliative care and help with managing symptoms such as pain. Mum had aggressive breast cancer and when she first came to the hospice she was barely able to walk because of pain.

“The care and support she received was excellent and helped to get her symptoms under control. She came out practically dancing. It gave her that extra quality of life and it also gave us quality time together as a family.

“After I lost my mum I received bereavement support from the hospice and my dad did too. Care after losing a loved one is so important.

“Sue Ryder is a wonderful charity that touches so many people’s lives when they need it most. After racking my brains about how I could raise funds, I came up with the idea of using a Facebook fundraiser to hold a virtual bake sale. I bake quite often and mum was a keen baker. We love cake in our family – cake is life!

“I have been bowled over by my friends’ generous donations and have raised just over £1,500. When life goes back to a new normal, I plan to set up a production line in my kitchen and bake cakes for everyone who has been so kind. I have a lot of baking to do!”

Maxine Harper-Woods, community fundraiser at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, said: “Thank you so much to our ‘star baker’ Emma for your incredible support. The funds raised will ensure we can continue to offer our expert palliative care and be there when it matters for people at the most difficult time of their lives.”