Beckenham’s Great British Bake Off star Jane Beedle took a break from her London Marathon training and joined other former contestants to surprise patients and staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
The Bake Off contestants helped to make some tasty sweet treats, shared their baking expertise and spoke with patients and staff at the hospital.
Part of the ‘Bakers Dozen’ team, Jane will be taking part in this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon to support Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, helping to raise much needed money for seriously ill children across the UK.
During their visit, they got to see first-hand where the money they are raising will be going and how it will make a difference to children being treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
One of the young patients Jane met was fifteen-year-old Gursimran who is being treated at GOSH for a kidney condition. Gursimran said: “I’ve really enjoyed all the baking and meeting the Bake Off contestants on the ward, it’s been so much fun.”
Jane Beedle added: “It has probably been 50 years since I’ve visited GOSH, how different it looks now. It was a joy to meet the children and the staff, there was such a lovely atmosphere on the ward and the kids were truly inspirational.
“It was very humbling to see how cheerful and positive they were, it certainly put life into perspective and if I needed a reason to get out and train for the Marathon then this certainly did it for me.”
More than 300 runners will be taking part in the Virgin Money London Marathon this year on behalf of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, hoping to raise a target of more than £600,000 for the hospital’s most urgent fundraising needs.
Laura Savory, head of community fundraising at Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity said: “We’re really grateful to the Great British Bake Off runners and all our supporters for taking part in this amazing challenge and we can’t wait to be there on the day to cheer everyone on. With the money raised, we can make a real difference to the lives of seriously ill children from across the UK.”
To sponsor Jane visit: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JaneBeedle