A CORSHAM cake company will be hoping to rise to the challenge of helping Teenage Helpline achieve charity status by baking their way to raise £5,000 – and both founders are just 18.

Keileigh Birkett who owns Keylicious Cakes will be working with Josh Towers, who founded the Teenage Helpline, to raise the funds which will see the non-profit organisation become a registered charity – allowing them to help hundreds of youngsters in Wiltshire with mental health issues.

Miss Birkett initially started with just a hobby of baking and sugarcraft but growing demand and interest in bespoke cakes, inspired her to set up the Corsham-based business.

Now the pair, who both attended the Corsham School together, will be putting on cupcake classes in addition to auctions for bakes on their Facebook page to see if they can make up the money.

“I went to school with Josh and I know how hard he works with Teenage Helpline because the issues they deal with go unnoticed really and I think it is a really good time to get the message of the work out there,” she said.

“By getting lots of people involved with the cupcake classes, we will be able to donate everything to the charity and Josh will also be on hand to explain the importance of its work.”

Keylicious Cakes is also offering customers the chance to donate money towards the cause when ordering.

The Teenage Helpline helps youngsters talk about issues such as depression, exam stress, anxiety, self-esteem, self-harm, trichotillomania, LGBT, suicide, abuse and bullying.

Mr Towers, who set up the company three years ago, believes the surge in interest towards baking combined with raising awareness will hopefully allow them to reach their target.

“I think in combing our work is important as it will raise awareness among Keileigh's customers and they can then recognise when or if a young person needs support and can tell them where to come,” he said.

“I think a lot of young people, especially a lot younger people, enjoy making cakes and to get them involved and raise money and awareness of the charity and having fun is something easy to get involved in.

“I will be on hand at the classes giving people information about our work and how to get them involved. It is all good fun at the end of the day and if people have any questions then I will be able to answer them.”

Mr Towers also wants the fundraising drive to show how baking itself can be a way of relieving stress and hopes that it shine light on the to-be charity which is run for young people by youngsters themselves.

“It is quite important because we want to make sure that we have the charity status so that young people will trust us. Although we are a registered company we want to show that we are working with young people and to support them.”

The cupcake classes will teach attendees how to decorate four cupcakes using four completely different techniques.

For more information, contact Keileigh on 07738215666.