Ruby takes the hospice biscuit
A Sunderland schoolgirl has taken the biscuit when it comes to supporting charity.
Ruby Gibbon has designed a top treat which is now on sale in the city to boost funds for a hospice.
The first The Benedict Dodger biscuits went on sale recently, following a competition with school children to create a winning biscuit.
This is the first custom made biscuit for St Benedict’s Hospice and Centre for Specialist Palliative Care.
Lisa Peverley, Community Fundraiser at the Ryhope hospice, said: “This is the first time we have done anything like this in aid of our hospice, we are over the moon with the result and overwhelmed by how many school children got involved by entering our competition, we couldn’t wait to see the biscuits go on sale and hope everyone enjoys them.”
The biscuits went on sale last week and are being sold for all of St Benedict’s stores.
A launch event of the chocolate biscuit was held at the Pallion shop and people had the chance to meet Benedict Bear, the hospice mascot, who was promoting his new cookies.
Stores the biscuits are available at are, Pallion, Sea Road, Chester Road, Hetton, Houghton, Sea Road and the Little Play Café in Fulwell.
Ruby, a ten-year-old student at Northern Saints Primary School, designed the winning biscuit as part of a competition to create a bespoke biscuit for the muchloved mascot Benedict Bear.
She was up against stiff competition from six finalists from schools and youth organisations across the city, including English Martyrs RC Primary, Redby Academy, St Patrick’s RC Primary, Plains Farm Acadmy and 24th Sunderland Brownies.
Lisa said: “Ruby designed the biscuit on paper and then had to come in to the hospice and present to a panel including hospice ambassador Aly Dixon.”
She said Ruby was over the moon to have the honour of her biscuit being reproduced for sale in all the hospice shops.
The youngster said: “I can’t believe I won.
“I am really interested in cookery and I am really proud to have won the competition.”
Ruby was invited along to the launch event of The Benedict Dodger so she could see the biscuits in the shops and to sell the first one.
The biscuits cost 99p with all proceeds going to the hospice and are being produced thanks to Sarah Harper from Whitburn, aka The Cake Lady.
“I am really proud to have won the competition” RUBY GIBBON