Paws For Tea With The Blue Cross
Masterchef champion Jane Devonshire and cookery author Amy-Beth Ellice are urging animal lovers to bake up a storm for needy pets.
Jane and Amy-Beth are calling on animal lovers to whip up one of their tasty recipes in support of national pet charity Blue Cross. Why not come together with family and friends over a virtual cuppa and cake to raise money for needy animals!
The charity’s annual Paws for Tea campaign encourages animal lovers to host tea parties with family, friends, neighbours and work colleagues, and raise money to help animals in Blue Cross care.
Recipes on the charity’s website include a gluten-free chocolate cake from Jane and mini strawberries and cream cupcakes from Amy-Beth, who has also created a dog-friendly biscuit recipe so people can get their four-pawed companions involved in the fun too.
Blue Cross has lots of tips on how people can host a virtual or socially distanced tea party fundraiser this year and raise vital funds to help the pet charity care for more sick, injured and abandoned animals.
People are also urged to share pictures and video of their bakes and parties on social media, using #PawsForTea to inspire others to hold events.
Last year Blue Cross helped 40,000 animals through its rehoming centres and animal hospitals across the country.
“Make treats all the sweeter”
Chef, writer and presenter Jane Devonshire won Masterchef in 2016, and is the owner of three dogs, Alfie, Lottie and Bryon, and also three cats.
Jane said, “I adore my cats and dogs – pets are truly wonderful, which is why it is so important to me to support Blue Cross. My chocolate cake is a rich, indulgent sponge recipe that friends and family can enjoy at their Paws for Tea party, whether at home, socially-distanced or virtually. I’d encourage pet-lovers to get baking and enjoy some delicious treats, made all the more sweeter in the knowledge that you are fundraising to help pets in need.”
Amy-Beth Ellice became Britain’s youngest published cookery author in 2014 when she was 16 years old.
Amy-Beth, who has a family pet, a miniature dachshund called Stevie, said, “Paws for Tea is a fantastic way to support Blue Cross’s work to help homeless, sick and injured pets. My mini strawberries and cream cupcakes are cute and delicious cakes for us humans, whilst my peanut butter and banana oaty biscuits are made with ingredients that are safe for your pet pooch to enjoy.
“I’d encourage everyone, from baking novices to experts, to put on an apron, get baking and support Blue Cross. Funds raised from Paws for Tea parties will go a long way in helping transform the lives of pets who need our help.”
Five ideas for a safe and socially distanced tea party
The Driveway / Over the Garden Fence Tea Party
Invite your neighbours to join in on a mini street Paws for Tea party, raising a cuppa together while social distancing. Will you all be out the front on your drives? Or will you take your parties to the back garden and chat old-style over the garden fence?
The Teddy Bears’ Picnic Tea Party
Get the little ones involved in organising a tea party, inviting all their favourite cuddly friends. Ask friends from schools or youth groups to all join in on the same day and make donation to take part. They could even take their party online and hold it as one.
Across the Miles Tea Party
A different twist on the Driveway / Over the Fence tea party. Have each of the family’s households to hold a Paws for Tea on the same day at the same time and connect online so it’s as if you’re there with them. How many miles can you cover between you – will you take Paws for Tea to a different country?
The Blue Cross ‘Bake Off’
Set your friends and family the challenge of baking something new. Showcase their creations either live or submit a photograph to you to judge. Each person makes a donation to enter.
Donate your cuppa
We appreciate that times are very different at the moment and you may just not feel in the tea party mood. That’s OK. Why not just donate the cost of your cuppa and cake instead to help us continue helping sick, injured and homeless pets?
Sign up for a free Blue Cross Paws for Tea fundraising pack, full of ideas and recipes for hosting a tea party, or call 0300 790 9903.
Try Amy-Beth’s oat, banana and peanut butter biscuits recipe!
Sarah Proctor
I've worked on a variety of regional newspapers and national magazines. My Weekly and Your Best Ever Christmas are fantastic, warm-hearted brands with an amazing, talented team. I'm a sub-editor and particularly love working on cookery, fiction and advice pages - I feel I should know all the secrets of eternal life, health and happiness by now, but hey, we all need that regular reminder!
