Cancer charity supporters clink cups and make Time for Tea for 3rd year

16th June 2016

Tea drinkers across South Yorkshire and beyond came together once again this May to help raise vital funds for the region's specialist cancer hospital.

From footballers to community fundraisers, supporters of Weston Park Cancer Charity made Time for Tea amongst family, friends and colleagues last month in a bid to raise as much money as possible to support those fighting cancer across the region. Weston Park Cancer Charity is the dedicated charity for Weston Park Hospital and exists to support the world-class cancer research and to improve the treatment and care for people living with cancer. After successful Time for Tea months in 2014 and 2015, which cumulatively raised over £60,000 for the cancer charity from over 250 tea parties, supporters once again clinked cups and put their baking skills to the test to ensure the vital work of Weston Park Hospital can continue. Charity Fundraising Manager, Sarah Cross said, -We are completely overwhelmed once again by the level of support the cancer charity has received from those hosting tea parties and raising vital funds for projects within Weston Park Hospital. -When we started the Time for Tea campaign 3 years ago, we never imagined so many people would choose to support the charity by popping the kettle on and baking some cakes throughout our dedicated tea party month. -This year, we even converted some of our local footballers into promising cake decorators as they took part in a 'TimeforTeaCakeOff' challenge in Sheffield at Marcos Italian. At the end of April, footballing stars from 4 local clubs put their culinary skills to the test as part of a unique Time for Tea Cake-Off event in a bid to encourage others to make Time for Tea across the month. 2 players from Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United, Barnsley and Rotherham came together to decorate their own club-themed cake and left it up to their fans to decide which 1 would be crowned the victorious cake. With creative efforts from all, after a week of voting and donations made by the clubs loyal fans, Sheffield Wednesday were awarded the Time for Tea Cake Off crown thanks to the efforts of Captain, Glenn Loovens and striker, Fernando Forestieri. As well as support from four local football clubs- community gatherings and corporate bake bonanzas meant that in total over 100 tea parties were held during May, all raising much needed funds for the cancer charity. The cancer charity needs to raise over £2 million this year to enable the funding of committed and new projects that will keep patients at the forefront of cancer treatment. Throughout 2016 the charity will fund various projects to enable the continued improvement of Weston Park Hospital; including the expansion of research studies, improving the way cancer treatments are delivered and supporting the ongoing care provisions of patients and their families affected by cancer. Anita Taylor from Rotherham raised over £620 by hosting a tea party at Wickersley Methodist Church to support the hospital where her husband, David Taylor received treatment. David passed away 15 years ago just three months after being diagnosed with lung cancer.  He was a patient at Weston Park Hospital for eight weeks and although it was not possible to treat him successfully, Anita continues to show her gratitude for the care and kindness he received during that time. Businesses across the region also put their culinary skills to the test with Pentagon hosting tea parties across all 3 local branches and Swann Morton staff raising an incredible £1,300 thanks to matched funding from the company. Danny Whitehead, General Manager at Pentagon, Sheffield said, -Pentagon chose to support Time for Tea this year as Weston Park Cancer Charity is our chosen local charity based on personal and professional influences. We know how hard the staff at Weston Park Hospital work and we wanted to do something all Pentagon employees could get involved in to say thanks. This ranged from baking, eating, donating and dressing up as Mary Berry when all South Yorkshire Pentagon sites joined together on Friday 20th May to raise £327. Pentagon Sheffield is very proud to support such a great local charity 10 year old Kylie, a student at Emmanuel School, Sheffield wanted to host a bake sale at her school as part of Time for Tea after losing her grandma to cancer just last year. -Both my nan and her mum had cancer and sadly my nan passed away in April this year. I just want to stop cancer once and for all and I don't want anyone else to have to go through what we have been through in the last few months. -I asked my school if they would support me hosting a bake sale in memory of my nan and they said yes straight away. Sarah Cross continued, -Whilst we're still counting up the amount raised from over 100 tea parties held, we're confident that thanks to the generosity of our fundraisers, this years Time for Tea initiative will help make a huge difference to those receiving treatment at Weston Park Hospital. -We're hoping that as the initiative continues to grow year on year, more people will think of coming together over tea and cake each May so that our vital support of services provided by the hospital can continue to improve and expand. To check out all the Time for Tea photos visit the charity's Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/WPHCancerCharity Cancer currently affects 1 in every 3 people in the UK and by 2020 it is expected to affect 1 in every 2 of us.