Foodie flies flag for cancer charity and makes Time for Tea after cancer fight

12th May 2016

A cancer survivor with a passion for fine food is making Time for Tea this May to support his local cancer charity.

Chef Dan Stevens, originally from London, came to Sheffield 6 years ago to find a better life for him and his partner. But before making the move up North, Dan had overcome the biggest challenge of his life- fighting and surviving throat cancer which he was diagnosed with when he was just 18 years old. Years later and now fighting fit, Dan is raising funds for Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity by hosting a tea party in his café on Trippet Lane, Food Fusion, and offering charity drinks throughout the month of May as part of the charity's Time for Tea initiative. Now into its 3rd year, Time for Tea is an initiative which encourages people to host or attend a tea party to raise vital funds for Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity across the month of May. Whether it's a tea party at home, in the community, or at work, the cancer charity is inviting supporters from across the region to pop the kettle on and bake some buns or cakes throughout the month of May. Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity is the dedicated charity for Weston Park Hospital and raises funds to improve the lives of thousands of cancer patients in the region. -After moving to Sheffield I really wanted to do something to help local people who were living with a cancer diagnosis. Said Dan -You really never know what's next in life but I'm living proof that people do survive cancer and they go on to live purposeful and fulfilled lives after treatment. -Cancer is by no means a walk in the park and my treatment certainly took its toll- at 1 point my weight plummeted to 6 stone and I was unable to work or do anything at all. -I came to Sheffield with a vision- to improve the variety of food in the area and work closely with schools to help improve the nutritional benefits and food choices for our next generation. Although now cancer free, after making the move to Sheffield, Dan was referred to Weston Park Hospital, the region's only dedicated cancer hospital, for follow up appointments and any after care he required. Dan continued, -People in this area are very lucky to have such a brilliant specialised cancer hospital on their doorstep. Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity provides vital funding to the hospital so that patients and their families are able to benefit from the very best treatment and care. -Not only will we be hosting our own Time for Tea party at Food Fusion this May we will also be offering a Weston Park Purple Fruit Smoothie to our customers with 50% of the profits going to the cancer charity. Dan, who has worked as a Catering Manager at several local schools including King Ecgberts, Silverdale and now Handsworth Grange, hopes that his love of food will inspire people across the region to make healthier and tastier food choices. -We opened our new deli, Food Fusion, a few months ago, which offers a range of traditional sandwiches as well as our Fusion Fit Food with a range of juices made from fresh ingredients. -We now want to combine our love of good food with my personal ambition to support cancer services in the area. In the last two years, Time for Tea has raised £60,000 to support life-saving projects within Weston Park Hospital. This year, the cancer charity needs to raise £2million to ensure the hospital remains at the forefront of cancer treatment and care. Charity Fundraising Manager, Sarah Cross said, -We are incredibly grateful to Dan and Food Fusion for supporting Time for Tea this May. -Time for Tea is an easy way for cafes and restaurants to support the vital work of Weston Park Hospital whilst engaging with their customers over tea and cake! -Whether it's a dedicated tea party day or a creative drink offer, we want to encourage other cafes, hotels and restaurants to follow in Dan's footsteps and sign up to host a tea party to support cancer patients across our region. To find out more about Time for Tea or sign up visit: www.timeforteaparty.com