Volunteer bakers in Hampshire are using their own money to ensure children in need receive a birthday cake. Free Cakes for Kids Fareham and Gosport buys ingredients, bakes, and delivers cakes for young people whose families cannot afford them.
Natalie Parker, who runs the group, stated that the thought of a child not having a birthday cake was "heart-breaking". The group, part of a national network, has seen an increase in demand and is actively seeking more volunteers.
Referrals for cakes come through organisations such as food banks, churches, and schools, rather than directly from families. Volunteers often tailor cakes to a child's favourite characters or interests, covering the cost of ingredients, baking, and delivery themselves. The group can only provide toppers, boards, and boxes when it has successfully raised funds.