Mel’s Blooming Great Tea Party

Mel Giedroyc provided a much needed an-tea-dote to General Election fever today by launching Marie Curie’s summer fundraising campaign; the Blooming Great Tea Party.

The TV favourite hosted a tea party for the terminal illness charity at the John Lewis rooftop garden on Oxford Street and is calling on everyone to get together with friends, family or colleagues to hold a tea party, bake sale or special tea break in aid of Marie Curie this summer.

The money raised from Blooming Great Tea Parties will help Marie Curie provide vital care and support for people living with a terminal illness, and their families.

Mel Giedroyc, who has supported the campaign for four years said: “I’m supporting the Blooming Great Tea Party because it is the most sublimely joyous, wondrous event for the best cause. My top tip would be to invite more people than you can possibly fit into your house.  They will squeeze, don’t worry.  For cake, people will do anything.”

John Lewis is also lending their support to Marie Curie and the Blooming Great Tea Party, by holding tea parties for customers in all John Lewis cafes on 9th June. This is the first time the campaign has been supported on this scale by a retailer.

Emma Marchant, Sustainable Communities Manager at John Lewis, says: "We're really proud to be working with Marie Curie on their Blooming Great Tea Party campaign this year and I know our shops up and down the country are really excited to be a part of this great cause. They can't wait to hold their own Blooming Great Tea Party so that customers can come along, buy some cake and learn about how they too can support Marie Curie and the fantastic Blooming Great Tea Party campaign."

Marie Curie’s Blooming Great Tea Party has raised over £5.4 million for the charity since 2008 and the support continues to last long after the last cup of tea has been drank.

Sisters, Sally, Julie and Caroline from Birmingham lost their mum, Christine Davis, to lung cancer. Christine was cared for by Marie Curie Nurses at home and this year the family will be holding a Blooming Great Tea Party at their mum’s shop – Christine’s Wool Shop – which the sisters took over, after their mum passed away.

Talking about their experience Sally said: “When mum was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, it was a devastating shock. The whole family were shaken by the diagnosis. Mum didn’t want to stay in hospital, so we brought her home. My dad was mum’s main carer with both my sisters and our two aunties and mum’s best friend all helping out on a daily basis to ensure mum had the best care we could give her and was comfortable.”

“It was exhausting, physically and emotionally for us all especially my dad. That’s when Marie Curie came into our lives. A Marie Curie Nurse came to help us once or twice a week and knowing she was there for Mum overnight gave us all time to rest.

“In 2010 we held our first Blooming Great Tea Party to give back to Marie Curie, after the charity helped us so much during those difficult days. It was also another way to do something special in Mum’s honour, as everyone always knew that they could pop in for a cup of tea at Christine’s Wool Shop. Ever since then, we’ve held a tea party each year and have now raised over £15,000 for Marie Curie.”

To find out more about holding your own Blooming Great Tea Party and receive your free fundraising pack, call 0800 716 146 or visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/teaparty

For more information including pictures, quotes and interviews please contact the Marie Curie Press Office on:

• 0844 8932 101 or media@mariecurie.org.uk
• Liz Ensor – liz.ensor@mariecurie.org.uk / 0207 599 7265 / 0783 418 5724
• Smita Mistry – smita.mistry@mariecurie.org.uk / 0207 091 6650 / 0782 595 8030
• Fina Whilton – fina.whilton@mariecurie.org.uk / 020 7091 3622 / 0742 349 8333