A bake sale organised by a Kent-based mum has raised more than £1,000 to help those caught in the Ukraine conflict.
On Monday, March 7, Carla Dunmore and her family took to the streets of Brasted in Kent, as they hosted a bake sale to raise money for the conflict crisis in Ukraine.
Carla, her 15-year-old daughter Jessica, and sons Ashton and Layton, raised slightly over £554 to the British Red Cross Ukraine appeal through prepping, baking, and selling dozens of cakes.
Carla told the News Shopper that a local business matched Carla’s total sum of donations - which led to a whopping amount of £1,109 being donated to the British Red Cross.
Carla says she “couldn’t believe” the turn out, as long queues formed by friends, neighbours, and nearby businesses surrounded her cake stand.
Carla told the News Shopper: “Being a mum of three children and watching what’s happening in Ukraine is totally heart-breaking.
“I just wanted to help somehow and thought it was a good idea to make some cakes and raise as much money as possible.
“I thought we’d make around £150, maybe £200 with generous donations.
“Never in our wildest dreams did we ever, ever set out to raise the amount that we did.”
Four days before the event, Carla contacted local businesses in the area, with advertisements about the upcoming bake sale that was located at the Old Yard in Brasted, only a short walk from Carla’s home.
She soon had responses from people across the community, including a resident and local business who wanted to join the bake-a-thon.
She added: “One business even paid for the ingredients because they didn’t want me out of pocket.
“Another business took part and donated cakes for us to sell, alongside a resident who baked a victoria sponge cake to perfection.
“I couldn’t believe how generous everyone was.”
The bake sale featured a range of sweet treats – including dozens of decorative cupcakes and large cakes that were being sold as a whole.
One batch of cupcakes featured a décor of the Ukrainian flag, showing support to the people more than 1,000 miles away.
Carla told the News Shopper that she has always loved to bake and decided to go ahead with the bake sale because she had “nothing to lose”.
She said: “I thought we should try the bake sell and see if we can make a little difference to the Ukraine crisis.
“Me and my daughter, Jessica, done most of the baking over the weekend and during the day.
“My boys, Ashton, and Layton, joined us a little later.
“We enjoyed every minute – Jessica was incredible, and we had so much fun.
“I was worried no one would come to the bake sale – but the turnout was absolutely incredible.
“I’d love to do something like this again.
“It was so nice to have such an amazing support from everyone that will hopefully help people in Ukraine.”
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