Solicitors Gardner Leader raise over £1,500 in Red Nose Day bake off for Thames Valley Air Ambulance

A law firm has raised more than £1,500 in a bake off at its West Berkshire offices.

The Great Gardner Leader Bake Off saw colleagues from across all offices get the oven mitts out and raise some money for Red Nose Day.

In baking browniess, cupcakes and other sweet treats, including a Harry Potter themed cake, the teams managed to raise £1,674 for their chosen charity, Thames Valley Air Ambulance.

The cause was chosen, according to marketing executive Sean Richardson, due to a personal connection to a member of the team.

He said: “Every year we have a new charity and we vote for it, giving our reasons for that choice.

“Because a member of the team had this personal connection with them, they were voted.”

He noted that teams from Thatcham, Swindon and Maidenhead all got stuck in for the bake off at Gardner Leader's offices in the Market Place, Newbury.

In every bake off, there is a star baker and in this instance, two team members shone for their cake creations.

Winning best bake was trainee solicitor from dispute resolutions Harriet Hughes for her tiered cake with white frosting and Red Nose Day theme.

There was also a winner for best tasting bake, which went to senior associate of the inheritance protection team Lucy Savage for her coffee and walnut cake.

The judging was said to be in good hands with Woodspeen executive chef Peter Eaton stopping by for a slice of the fun and making the tough decision of finding the winning bakes.

Mr Richardson said: “It was fantastic, it was the first time to get together in person since the pandemic.

“Normally, we do big charity events but because of this, we have not been able to.”

He added: “Everyone got involved and were enthusiastic about the whole day.”

“It was a good to see everyone.”