A BOROUGH children’s hospice will host a Sparking Afternoon Tea in September.
The Alexander Devine event will include treats from an award winning confectioner and music from an international soprano.
The uplifting afternoon of music and indulgent confectionery promises to be another memorable and spectacular event.
An afternoon tea of ‘exceptional quality’ will presented by the charity’s patron, Mark Tilling, award-winning chocolatier and patisserie chef, and winner of BBC’s Bake Off: Crème de la Crème, complete with his signature chocolate creations and superb patisserie.
He said, “I am delighted to be hosting this special event again this year and to raise vital funds needed for the hospice to provide the specialist care the children and families need.
“It is an honour to be Patron of this worthwhile charity, and I do hope you can join me in what promises to be a fabulous afternoon.”
On stage will be Internationally renowned soprano, Miranda Keys, who will perform opera classics and West End hits.
Her programme of music will include something for everyone to enjoy, as she promenades amongst the guests at their tables, encouraging them to join in.
Alexander Devine’s CEO and founder Fiona Devine MBE, said: “We are so excited to bring this much-loved fundraising event to the hospice again and are delighted that Mark will be sharing his wonderful creations with us.
“We are grateful to him and the incredibly talented Miranda Keys.
“This really will be an afternoon to remember.”
Attendees will also have the chance to take part in fun games and a raffle, with fantastic prizes to be won.
All proceeds will go to Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service which provides specialist care and vital support to babies, children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and their families.
The children’s hospice service is free of charge for families, but this financial year it will cost £3 million a year just to maintain the current level of care.
With very minimal government funding, the charity is almost entirely reliant on donations, fundraising and gifts in wills to meet the costs of running its service.
The hospice currently supports more than 200 children and their families but is committed to growing its service and reaching out to every child and family that needs it.
In Berkshire alone, there are an estimated 1,371 children with life-limiting conditions.
Research shows that this number will increase by at least a further 11% by 2030.
The charity was founded by John and Fiona Devine in memory of their son Alexander who died, aged 8, from a rare brain tumour in 2006.
John and Fiona’s personal experience led them to realise a desperate need for a local children’s hospice facility and service for Berkshire, South Bucks and surrounding counties.
The Sparkling Afternoon Tea will take place in the hospice grounds, Snowball Hill, Maidenhead, on Saturday, September 13 from 3pm until 6pm.
Tickets cost £35 if booked before Friday, August 1, and include a welcome drink.
They can be bought individually or for larger groups, from: alexanderdevine.org
