‘I had to do something’: Bakery donates cupcake proceeds to earthquake relief effort
FUNDRAISING APPEAL: Ellie Birch, of Elliegantly Made
By Simon Bristow
An East Yorkshire bakery is producing Valentine’s Day cupcakes to help those devastated by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
Ellie Birch, from Elliegantly Made in Hedon, was so moved by the tragedy she felt she needed to do something to help and has been baking and selling boxes of cupcakes - with one hundred per cent of the proceeds taken going to the Red Cross to support aid efforts.
The British Red Cross is a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) and the money raised from sales will help to provide support and assist in rescue and recovery efforts.
Ellie said: “It’s utterly heartbreaking. So many people have lost their lives, I just had to do something. February is traditionally the month of love so I felt I needed to spread some - and although I can’t help physically, I can bake, so I can raise money.”
Makeshift camps have had to be set up for the millions of people rendered homeless and with sub-zero temperatures the Red Cross, along with other organisations across the globe, has been providing and distributing food, water, and blankets.
The earthquakes, reaching magnitudes of 7.8 and 7.5, hit Turkey and Syria on February 6, killing more than 35,000 people. With search and rescue efforts still underway, experts fear this total could double.
Ellie said: “My inbox has been filling with orders but I am happy to take more. Every penny will help someone, even if it’s just one person. It is help that is desperately needed and I will be taking orders for collection up until Saturday, February 19.
“In just two days we have already raised over £250 but we want to raise as much money as possible so we have extended our appeal until next weekend.”
To order ‘Turkey and Syria Earthquake Appeal - With Love’ cupcakes, email enquiries@elliegantlymade.co.uk or visit the contact page at www.elliegantlymade.co.uk