Icing on the cake for Chelford Fundraiser�€�
A local baking enthusiast has raised over £15,000 for charity through sales of her recipe book Fuelled by More Cake.
Helen Murray, 36, of Chelford first started to compile the book in 2016 and gathered recipes
from coaching ace and Strictly Come Dancing star Judy Murray, Olympic cycling champion Joanna Rowsell Shand and former England cricket captain Alec Stewart.
"I'm absolutely thrilled to have finally reached my £15,000 fundraising target for East Cheshire Hospice, Melanoma UK and Young Epilepsy," Murray said.
"It was really daunting when a delivery driver turned up at my house with a pallet of boxes, all filled with recipe books!
"But now that I have reached my goal, I feel so relieved. It finally feels like all of the hard work has been worth it."
BBC Breakfast's Louise Minchin donated her Passion fruit and white chocolate cheesecake recipe from Celebrity MasterChef to the book.
"This book is brilliant, I'm a huge fan of cake and love the people and stories behind each recipe," the TV Star and triathlete said.
It is the second charity recipe book that Murray, who is a Movement and Exercise specialist, has produced.
"I raised £9,000 for three different charities from my first book, Fuelled by Cake, but I wanted to see if I could do even better with the second edition."
"However, I have no plans for a third version any time soon!" She added. "I don't think people realise quite how much work goes into producing something like this."
"It's a full-time job to gather the recipes, edit them, work with designers and that's before all of the promotion and distribution required to sell it."
"My husband did an amazing job on the editing front and my parents didn't complain once when they looked after online sales and had to make daily trips to the Post Office."
"I am so grateful to everyone who has supported the initiative, whether they contributed a recipe, bought a copy, sold copies or told other people about it. It simply wouldn't have been possible to raise so much money without their kindness and good will.
The three charities Helen has raised money for have also praised her for her dedication to the project.
"When Helen started this a few years ago, it was met with so much enthusiasm from all of the contributors to the book and of course, the melanoma patient community.
"The books really capture the imagination of many of our supporters and we are very grateful to have received such a large donation on the back of sales," Melanoma UK CEO Gillian Nuttall said.
"By raising both money and awareness, Helen has helped to support thousands of children and teenagers across the UK who are living with epilepsy and other neurological conditions and her phenomenal support will make a real and lasting impact on many lives," Georgina Fern from Young Epilepsy said.
"Fundraising in the community is one of the main income streams that keeps the doors of the Hospice open. This recipe book has been a great addition to our fundraising and it's raises lots of vital funds for East Cheshire Hospice," East Cheshire Hospice said.
Copies are still available to buy at www.fuelledbycake.com