Big Ben Cakes Mark Countdown to Rainbow Trust’s ‘Big Hour Cake Sale’

Big Ben cakes were on display outside the real London landmark to launch the countdown to Rainbow Trust’s biggest annual fundraiser, ‘The Big Hour Cake Sale’ – a campaign supported by some of the nation’s favourite celebrity chefs and taking place 22-28 October 2012.

At 24 inches high, it is roughly 157 times smaller than the London landmark it is modelled on, which towers at 315ft above the capital’s skyline. The statuesque sugary creation stood proudly in St Thomas’ Hospital Gardens, London, dwarfed by its real-life counterpart, to mark the countdown to Rainbow Trust’s biggest annual fundraising and awareness event.

A feat of confectionery engineering, it is a wonder the 24 inch high clock tower withstood the British elements, whipped up from simply butter, eggs, milk, flour and sugar – unlike its true life inspiration which is a studier mix of brickwork, limestone and cast iron.

The Big Hour Cake Sale, sponsored by Wright’s Baking Mixes, takes place between 22–28 October 2012. Throughout the week the children’s charity is urging people to use the ‘extra hour’ they gain when the clocks change to hold colourful, fundraising cake sales to help families who are acutely aware of just how precious one hour really is.

To register and receive a fundraising pack budding bakers can visit www.thebighour.org.uk The website features a wealth of recipes, including cupcake queen Lorraine Pascale’s ‘Caramelised pineapple, rum and vanilla upside-down cake’ and fashion guru John Scott’s ‘Rainbow Cake’, as well as top tips on how to hold your very own, successful cake sale.

Money raised will enable the charity to continue its vital work in providing emotional and practical support to families of children with a life threatening or terminal illness, including two and a half year old Francesca Dale, from Caterham in Surrey, who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer in her cheek. She visited St Thomas’ Hospital Gardens, with her mum Liz, to watch the launch and was among those first in line for a slice of cake.

Francesca’s mum, Liz Dale, commented: “Rainbow Trust provides an amazing range of support for us; we aren’t able to join in with mother and toddler groups like other families, in case Francesca catches an illness. So just having Nicki on hand for some adult company, mental stimulation and emotional support at home is so valuable to us. Nicki also drives Francesca and I to hospital appointments in central London which takes the stress out of the many, and frequent, journeys we have to undergo for treatment. I never have to ask Nicki for anything she just does it and knowing that she’s coming makes our day. Nicki is also amazing with our older daughter Imogen, devoting time to spend with her whilst I focus on the needs of Francesca.”

To create a fascinating optical illusion, the cake’s creators, N.O. Cakes R Better, designers of original and unusual cakes known for their wow factor, also created a tiny 8 inch tall Big Ben replica for the special launch event.

Some of the nation’s favourite chefs and celebrities – including Lorraine Pascale, Rachel Khoo, Valentine Warner and creator of the Royal Wedding cake, Fiona Cairns – are backing The Big Hour Cake Sale, with many sharing their favourite cake recipes for inspiration.

With cupcake consumption up over 50% in 2011 and a host of TV programmes paying homage to the home baking revival; Rainbow Trust is encouraging everyone to dust off their favourite cake recipe and get busy creating tasty delights to raise much needed funds.

N.O. Cakes R Better will be whipping up another 24 inch high Big Ben replica for one of Rainbow Trust’s flagship events taking place on 26th October at Cabots Place, Canary Wharf.  Set to be the star attraction, the cake will be raffled off to raise vital funds.

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