MEMBERS of the Bradford on Avon RUH Fundraising Group channelled pulled their resources, with help from local businesses, to stage a cake sale at the hospital in Bath.

The group donned their aprons and oven gloves to bake mountains of cake for a sale in aid of the Forever Friends Appeal’s Cancer Care Campaign at the RUH in Combe Park, Bath. Setting up shop in the atrium, the team raised a total of £2,161.18- beating the previous record for an appeal hospital cake sale by £500.

Sue Gilby, chairman of the Bradford on Avon RUH Fundraising Group, said: “We are a group of nine who live in or around Bradford on Avon and have been personally involved in receiving treatment or supporting relatives in the present cancer unit.

“We had a plan to raise over £1,000 from our cake sale so between us we baked, and cajoled our friends and relatives to bake, and approached local businesses in Bradford on Avon and Bath to donate.”

The group was set up in May last year and has already raised £900 from bridge and mah-jong afternoons, aiming to collect essential funds to help pay towards the campaign’s target of £8.5million for the cancer centre at the RUH.

“We are pleased at the support from businesses and would like to thank them all very much. It was with their help that we achieved the amazing sum of money. We are also grateful for the friends who came and helped us on the day; we definitely needed them as we were so busy,” added Mrs Gilby.

“We were delighted by the generosity of the public who bought cakes, often donating more than asked for. As chairman I would like to thank the team for all of their efforts and hard work on the day to make it fun and such a success.”

Some of the businesses which helped donate treats and packaging included Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, The Weaving Shed, The Bridge Tea Rooms, Chando’s Deli in Bath and Cooper and Tanner, amongst others.

Claudia Hickin, community fundraiser for The Forever Friends Appeal, said: “The group are so inspiring and we cannot thank them enough for their hard work and commitment. They are always open to new members getting involved; whether it’s brainstorming at committee meetings, helping at events or helping with finances or admin- everyone is welcome and much needed.”

Anyone who may be interested in joining the Bradford RUH fundraising group can contact Claudia Hickin by calling 01225 825825.