BAKING enthusiast Helen Murray has raised more than £15,000 for charity through sales of her recipe book Fuelled by More Cake.
Helen, 36, of Chelford, started to compile the book in 2016 and gathered recipes from coaching ace and Strictly Come Dancing star Judy Murray, Olympic cycling champion Joanna Rowsell Shand and former England cricket captain Alec Stewart.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to have finally reached my £15,000 fundraising target for East Cheshire Hospice, Melanoma UK and Young Epilepsy,” said Helen.
“It was really daunting when a delivery driver turned up at my house with a pallet of boxes, all filled with recipe books.
“But now I have reached my goal I feel so relieved. It feels like all the hard work has been worth it.”
It is the second charity recipe book that Helen, a Movement and Exercise specialist, has produced.
She added: “I raised £9,000 for three charities from my first book, Fuelled by Cake, but wanted to see if I could do even better with the second edition.
Helen with her mum
“However, I have no plans for a third version any time soon. It’s a full-time job to gather the recipes, edit them and work with designers, and that’s before all the promotion and distribution required to sell it.
“My husband did an amazing job on the editing front, and my parents didn’t complain once when they looked after online sales and had to make daily trips to the Post Office.
“I am so grateful to everyone who has supported the initiative, whether they contributed a recipe, bought a copy, sold copies or told other people about it.
“It wouldn’t have been possible to raise so much without their kindness and goodwill.”
Helen with a friend
Melanoma UK CEO Gillian Nuttall said: “The books really capture the imagination of many of our supporters, and we are very grateful to have received such a large donation on the back of sales.”
Georgina Fern from Young Epilepsy said: “By raising money and awareness Helen has helped support thousands of children and teenagers across the UK who are living with epilepsy and other neurological conditions.”
A spokesman for East Cheshire Hospice said: “This recipe book has been a great addition to our fundraising and it’s raises lots of vital funds for the hospice.”
Copies are still available to buy at fuelledbycake.com
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