A month of meatballs in aid of a worthy cause
A couple from Worthing have donned their aprons to cook up a feast of meatballs in support of a good cause.
Katie and Sam Bailey were taking part in the Muscle Help Foundation’s Meatballs for Muscle Dreams campaign last month.
Sam, who lives with muscular dystrophy (MD), and wife Katie have been supporting the work of the charity, which makes dreams come true for children and young adults living with MD.
Sam said: “We invited lots of friends and family over for our meatball party and they all kindly made a donation, in return for being fed well.
“This charity is really special to me and Katie.
"Not only have I had my dream come true thanks to their work, but so too have many other youngsters living with MD.
“The reality of our lives and the cards we’ve been dealt aren’t the best by any means, but it’s the charity-organised events from the Muscle Help Foundation that give us hope, friendship and memories to last a lifetime.
“I am very fortunate enough to have recently been granted another experience from the charity which saw my wife Katie and I wheel on board a Wetwheels accessible powerboat at Mercury Harbour, experiencing the Solent and the beautiful Beaulieu River.
“If anyone wants to support the charity by organising their own meatball party there is still time to get involved.
“Or people can simply make a donation directly to the charity if they prefer.
"Whatever support people can give will be going to make dreams come true for youngsters living with MD.
"I speak from experience when I say that the impact the charity makes is amazing.”
Sam is a beneficiary of the charity’s work and wanted to get involved to show his thanks and encourage others to support the charity’s work.
In 2012 the nature-lover had his dream of meeting Ray Mears come true thanks to the Muscle Help Foundation.
Comedian, presenter and writer Harry Hill – who also presents Junior Bake Off – has been spearheading the campaign and recently released a video asking the nation to ‘don their aprons’ to support the charity’s work.
Harry said: “I can’t think of a better way to raise money for a wonderful charity. Cooking meatballs, inviting friends and family over and then eating them - that’s the meatballs - not the friends and family!
"The only catch is they make a donation to help The Muscle Help Foundation improve the lives of people living with Muscular Dystrophy.
“Unless I’m missing something, it’s a win-win-win!”
The Meatball Month campaign won the backing of an array of notable chefs and celebrities – many of whom shared their very own meatball recipes representing a range of culinary tastes and preferences to help inspire people right across the nation.
These include Tom Kerridge, Angela Hartnett, Tom Parker-bowles, Ken Hom, Ravneet Gill and Lawrence Dallaglio.