Baking a difference to region's children in need

The local charity, which launched in Sheffield in 2013 and has just opened a new branch in Rotherham, has over 50 volunteers creating cakes for children supported by social workers, schools, food banks, hostels and homeless charities, who would otherwise miss out on having a birthday cake, due to poverty, homelessness or family breakdown.

Free Cakes For Kids Sheffield volunteer Dannielle Wibberley has baked 14 birthday cakes for children in the city in the past three years.

Dannielle, who has a four-year-old son, said: “Every birthday I have always been so excited to see what my cake will be - from my first memory of the Snoopy cake my mum made me. I love baking so when I came across this lovely cause I felt drawn to help.

“I bake with love and knowing that a child is going to have that wonderful feeling of receiving a cake on their birthday - well, what more of a motivator can you ask for? Everyone deserves a birthday cake.”

In Rotherham, social worker and Free Cakes for Kids Sheffield volunteer Jennifer Lee recently set up a new group to bake for the town’s neediest children.

Jennifer said: “As a social worker in Rotherham, I know that there are children living in very difficult circumstances who often go without luxuries like birthday cakes. We want to make a difference, one cake at a time.”

And now the charity is appealing for new volunteers to help them fill their requests for cakes.

Group coordinator Kate Thorpe said: “I’m so thankful for our generous volunteers who spend so much time creating beautiful, personal and above all delicious birthday cakes for some of the most deprived children in the region. It’s fantastic to see Free Cakes for Kids Rotherham baking a difference now - cakes made with love mean so much for children and families with very little.”

Email [email protected] if you would like to make a request, or get in touch if you’re an enthusiastic baker and would like to get involved.