A host of New Zealand celebrities are dusting off their pinnies, and getting ready to bake up a storm this Christmas, in support of the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal.
Some of the celebrity bakers so far include Simon Gault, Antonia Prebble, Sacha McNeil, Hilary Barry, Jack Tame, Michael Meredith, Al Brown, Paul Ego, Jesse Mulligan, Jono and Ben, Samantha Hayes, and Mike McRoberts
The Baking Industry Association of New Zealand (BIANZ), the organisation behind the campaign, is welcoming interest from any other would-be bakers keen to support the cause.
Each celebrity is baking a batch of six pies. The individual auctions will then run on Trade Me from 28th November until the 4th December, at trade.me/christmaspies, with 100 percent of funds going to the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal. Trade Me has waived all success fees.
“Every Christmas, thousands of Kiwi families struggle to meet their basic needs, let alone buy gifts for their family. It can be a grim, stressful, and solitary time. Can you imagine being in a position where you have to explain to your kids that Santa won’t be coming that year? The Salvation Army does a fantastic job supporting families and individuals across the country with Christmas meals, food hampers, presents and vouchers,” says Kevin Gilbert, President of the Baking Industry Association of New Zealand.
“We thought the Christmas mince pie celebrity bake-off would be a fun, and exciting way to raise money and awareness for a great cause. We can’t wait to see the different twists that the celebrities put on this classic festive treat.”
Rhondda Middleton, Community Engagement Manager at The Salvation Army, added:
“Christmas is a hard time for the families that we work with. The added costs of the celebration along with kids off on holidays and back to school needs is immense. To be able to support and relieve some of the stress that these families are carrying at Christmas is a privilege. It is only made possible with the support of events like this that help to raise the many resources required.”
“Each year The Salvation Army helps over 17,000 disadvantaged or socially isolated families and individuals at Christmas. This help comes in the form of social services such as budgeting advice, advocacy and counselling, as well as food hampers, presents and vouchers being provided to families who The Salvation Army works with, and who are identified as requiring particular assistance over Christmas.”
Alongside the celebrity bake-off, BIANZ will be running a Christmas mince pie baking competition via Facebook, and Twitter, along with some other promotions.
The BIANZ Facebook page will also be regularly updated with information about Christmas Mince Pies for Charity: facebook.com/BakingindustryNZ.
