Devon nursing team in charity bake-off

MEMBERS of the Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group’s nursing team have been baking for a good cause.

The Exeter-based team was inspired by the Great British Bake Off TV show to bake their favourite cup cakes, chocolate pudding and sponge, and helped raise money for the 1664 Challenge.

The 1664 Challenge aims to raise £500,000 for injured Royal Marines. The nursing team raised £200 for the charity.

The idea to support the armed forces charity came from Sue Moreton, a manager with the Chief Nursing Team, after her son, Sam, a Captain with the Royal Marines decided to take part in the gruelling challenge.

Mrs Moreton decided to tap into the pool of talented bakers within her team and set them a series of weekly challenges.

She said: “We have some excellent bakers in our team and I thought that this would be good fun.

“The Great British Bake Off was on TV at the time and a lot of my colleagues were enjoying the show.

“After chatting with those who were supportive I set a number of challenges each week, such as apple week or chocolate week.

“The most unusual ingredient week was interesting. I don’t think the maple syrup and bacon muffins will be hitting the high street yet.

“The signature bake week was spectacular and the cakes were delicious.”

Mrs Moreton said the cakes were judged on appearance, texture and taste and the best bakers were given prizes.

There were eight regular bakers each week with the rest of the team buying and eating the vast array of Battenburg, Victoria sponges, plum bread using cottage cheese, chocolate pear cake, Chocolate fudge cake, Devon apple cake, peanut butter cookies and Chocolate brownies.

Mrs Moreton added: “We will be having the final awards at our team bring-and-share Christmas lunch.

“I’m pleased with how the fundraising turned out. We raised £200 for the 1664 Challenge and had a bit of fun and far too much to eat at the same time. Not bad for 40 pence a slice.

“Our bakers said it wasn’t for the glory but I am not at all convinced.”