Stars join forces to launch The Big Chocolate Tea Party 2014

Top celebrities, including charity Vice President Anita Dobson, Luisa Zissman, Lydia and Debbie Bright, Lauren Goodger, Antony Costa, Vernie Bennett, Christine Hamilton and Nanny Pat and Carol Wright from TOWIE, packed out The Quince Salon at The May Fair Hotel, London. The guests sampled tea-inspired cocktails and indulgent chocolate canapés to launch the campaign in style and show their support for the Big Chocolate Tea Party 2014.

Partner Woman’s Own is supporting The Big Chocolate Tea Party for the second year running, after last year’s successful fundraising drive which contributed to the opening of the charity’s newest ‘Home from Home’ at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

The charity’s Vice President, award-winning master chocolatier Paul A Young, co-hosted the event. He said: “I have been inspired and genuinely touched by what The Sick Children’s Trust provides for so many families across the country. The Big Chocolate Tea Party gives me the perfect opportunity to use my love of chocolate to fundraise in a fun and indulgent way while supporting so many families who are facing the most difficult of circumstances, miles from their home. I thank everyone who attended tonight for their generous support of such an incredible charity and encourage them to have some chocolate-tea fun this April!”

This is the fifth year the charity has run the campaign, which encourages people to host chocolate–themed tea parties during April to raise funds to support families with seriously ill children in hospital. The Sick Children’s Trust provides ‘Home from Home’ accommodation, as well as emotional and practical support to families with sick children, at nine houses across the country.

The guests drank May Fair Marteani’s, a martini based around luxury loose leaf fruit tea and citrus, created exclusively for the event by the Hotel’s head mixologist. They ate afternoon-tea inspired canapés and finger sandwiches, before tucking into sumptuous chocolate treats from Great British Bake Off stars John Whaite, Edd Kimber and Cat Dresser and award-winning master chocolatier Paul A Young.

Catherine Westwood, editor, Woman’s Own said: “As a parent myself, nothing is more important to me than the health of my daughters. With this in mind, Woman’s Own is delighted to be able to raise both awareness and funds to help families when they really need it most.”

Sian Lloyd, celebrity ambassador and co-host of The Big Chocolate Tea Party 2014, added: “Tonight’s event proves that chocolate is an indulgence everyone can enjoy, which is why I’m hosting The Sick Children’s Trust’s Big Chocolate Tea Party. It’s a fantastic campaign enabling people to show their support for a charity which changes the lives of families with seriously ill children. Simply enjoy your favourite chocolate treats to join in: guilt-free chocolate at its best!”

Photo credit Hogan Media Limited.