Joanne is hospice bake-off star
DOZENS of avid bakers supported Rossendale Hospice by entering its inaugural Christmas Cake competition.
The charity, based in Rawtenstall, launched the contest to be judged by Crawshawbooth’s own cake artist sensation Molly Robbins, back in September.
Christmas Cake kits containing the necessary ingredients were bought by a total of 95 entrants, with bakers sending photographs of their finished masterpieces for perusal by Molly, a keen supporter of Rossendale Hospice.
It wasn’t an easy decision, but Molly chose Joanne Cleaver’s masterpiece as the winner.
“I loved looking through all the photographs. They look so pretty and festive. They all definitely brought some Christmas cheer!” said Molly.
“Joanne’s cake is so beautiful with lots of characters that really encapsulate the true Christmas spirit. I love the colours and the cute characters. Her cake made me really happy!”
Cake kit sales raised a fantastic £ 1,436 for the hospice to help local people who need their care the most. Winner Joanne won a luxury hamper as well as Molly’s Creature Creator kit.
Delighted Joanne said the competition “meant the world” to her.
“The hospice means an awful lot to me for personal reasons so when I saw this competition I knew I had to enter,” she said.
“I’m definitely not a professional cake maker, everything I’ve learnt is all self- taught. I just love to bake and decorate cakes in my spare time for friends and family. Knowing that I’ve won and supported the hospice at the same time means the world to me.
“Thankyou Rossendale Hospice, I’ve experienced first- hand the fantastic work that you do and it made a huge difference so keep on doing what you’re doing. Also a huge thankyou to Molly for choosing my cake!”
Senior fundraiser Joanna Williams said: “This was a fun and festive way to raise much needed funds for the Hospice. We are extremely thankful to Molly for taking time out to judge the entries at such as busy time of year.
“We are also very grateful to the Co- op in Haslingden for sponsoring our competition and making it possible.”