KNUTSFORD residents are being encouraged to throw a Blooming Great Tea Party for Marie Curie this June.

Lucinda Ellison, community fundraiser for Knutsford at Marie Curie said: “Throwing a Blooming Great Tea Party is a piece of cake and tonnes of fun.

“Whether you’re Team Baker and dazzling guests with you own homemade creation, or part of Team Faker and buying in your favourite treats, the money you raise will help us reach more of the people in Knutsford who need us.”

Throwing a tea party is easy, once you’ve set a date and invited your guests all you need to do is collect donations on the day.

Your local Marie Curie ‘tea party expert’ will send you a pack with tips, tricks and fundraising materials to make sure your tea party is a blooming great success.

Whether you’re a whizz with the whisk, or prefer to fake it and buy something in, every pound you raise will make a big difference.

The charity provides nursing care to people with terminal illnesses in their own homes across Knutsford, and runs a free and confidential support line for everyone affected by terminal illness.

Marie Curie has recently added clinical support to the service, which means anyone, across the country, can speak to a Marie Curie Nurse. The money you raise at your Blooming Great Tea Party will also help fund vital research to ensure people get better care at the end of their lives.

Mel Giedroyc, who is fronting this year’s campaign, said: “Marie Curie’s wonderful nurses and support line heroes need you to bake up a storm this June and raise a few quid at a Blooming Great Tea Party.

“I know that you lot love a good natter over a cup of tea, who doesn’t? That’s why I’m supporting Marie Curie’s campaign.

“It’s a simple way to get together with your chums and raise money for people with a terminal illness.

“It’s a vital cause, so whether you invite the town over for a croquembouche or catch up with pals over a pack of party rings, Marie Curie needs you to raise a cuppa and some money this June.

“If you’d rather fake it than bake it, here’s my tip. Get yourself a shop bought Victoria sponge, shake it around the shopping bag to ‘distress’ the edges, sprinkle it with icing sugar, dot some fresh strawberries on top and pass it off as your own.

“There you go chums, mum’s the word. Keep that one to yourself!”

To receive your fundraising pack, sign up at mariecurie.org.uk/teaparty/0800 716 146 and pledge your allegiance to #TeamBaker or #TeamFaker