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Raise dough for hospice care

1 May 2020

Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice is calling on budding chefs to share their favourite recipes this month, to help raise much-needed funds for the charity.

The Hospice is encouraging local people to submit recipes to feature in its new ‘Community Cookbook’, which will later be sold to help fund crucial care.

Caring cooks are asked to submit their starter, main or dessert recipes, with the cream of the crop set to feature in the digital cookbook.

Maria Goodwin, community fundraiser at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, said: “With restrictions asking us to stay at home, we know there are a lot of people who are using this time to get creative in the kitchen. That’s why we want to create a Community Cookbook, as it’s a wonderful way for people to share their much-loved recipes and inspire others to get cooking.

“So whether it’s your famous fajitas, your comforting veggie curry, or that rice pudding the kids just love – whatever the recipe, we want to hear from you. We’re also asking people to share recipes which have been passed down from a loved one who is sadly no longer with us, giving them a really special way to pay tribute to them.

“I think there’s real appetite for people to come together and help others right now, and sales from this cookbook will certainly support our staff who are currently working on the frontline.”

Earlier this month, Birmingham St Mary’s chief executive, Tina Swani, urged the local community to “unite for hospice care” by raising funds for the charity – otherwise it risks “cutting back services at a time when they are needed most”.

In a plea posted to Twitter, the chief executive explained how the Hospice’s frontline staff are still caring for patients with life-limiting illness across Sandwell and Birmingham, some of whom are extremely ill, vulnerable and have been diagnosed with coronavirus.

Following government restrictions on social gatherings, the Hospice has had to postpone all fundraising events and temporarily close its 17 charity shops, which is having a detrimental impact on its income.

Maria added: “More than ever, we need people’s support. At a time when people desperately need our services, we’re losing out on vital funding. With this cookbook, not only are we encouraging people to submit recipes but we’re also encouraging them to buy the book next month. Every pound raised from this project will go a long way in helping people to get the expert care they need during this unprecedented time.”

Birmingham St Mary’s frontline staff are currently providing around-the-clock care at its Inpatient Unit, as well as offering critical support in people’s homes. Its expert team of doctors, nurses, bereavement counsellors and more are also offering digital consultations and phone support to patients and their loved ones during this crisis.

The Community Cookbook will cost £3 and will be on sale in May. To submit a recipe or to find out more about the book, please email: fundraise@birminghamhospice.org.uk