Cream tea delivery service raises more than £800 for charity

A fundraising group has raised more than £800 for charity by holding a cream tea delivery service.

The Caerphilly Fundraising Group, which supports the terminal illness charity Marie Curie, normally holds an annual tea party fundraiser at Bedwas Methodist Church, but this had to be cancelled due to coronavirus.

However, the voluntary group refused to be stopped by the ongoing pandemic and adapted their yearly event – attracting more support than ever.

Group secretary Margaret Churchill said the group’s fundraising has suffered as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Mrs Churchill said: “We had to cut our Great Daffodil Appeal in Caerphilly short due to lockdown and cancel many of the events we had planned for this year.

“Each year we hold a Blooming Great Tea Party and we desperately wanted to still be able to support again this year.

“We put our heads together and thought about organising a tea party delivery service. In return for a donation we would deliver a scone, cream, jam and tea or coffee for members of the local community to enjoy safely in the comfort of their own home.

“We sent invites out to our usual attendees, friends and family and were in complete shock when we had 108 RSVPs.”

Charli Thomas, Community Fundraiser for South East Wales, said: “After our main fundraising activities were cancelled due to the pandemic earlier this year our fundraising ground to a halt.

“We are so lucky to have such resourceful and dedicated volunteers in our corner at this challenging time.

“I hope their tea party brought some joy to the local communities in Caerphilly, Bedwas and Trethomas.”

The money raised by the group will go towards supporting Marie Curie’s information and support services.

Since the group was set up in 2011, it has raised more than £75,000.

Due to the finanical implications of the pandemic, the group members wanted to use the event to support local businesses.

The group would like to thank Bedwas-based Miss B’s Pantry for providing the scones, as well as Quick Step Fitness for promoting the event.

Anyone interested in supporting the Caerphilly Fundraising Group can contact Ms Thomas on 07881 811 798 or charli.thomas@mariecurie.org.uk

The Marie Curie support line can be contacted on 08000 902 309