Baking Forum event owners: David Amos, Zeelandia; Steve Cook, Fine Lady Bakeries; Mike Roberts, Frank Roberts & Sons and Andy Pollard, AB Mauri, were proud to present a cheque for £20,000 on the 20th July, on behalf of The Baking Forum, to Chris Tomkins at the Bakers Benevolent Society. The £20,000 was raised from proceeds generated by this year’s recent Baking Forum, in Leeds, which was attended by over 200 baking industry professionals.
Andy Pollard of AB Mauri commented:
The Baking Forum arose from a concept initiated and delivered by David, Steve, Mike and myself, with the aim of bringing together and engaging with the baking industry as a whole. It not only provided a great vehicle to enable networking and the debate of the industry’s future challenges, it additionally raised a significant amount of money for the Bakers' Benevolent Society.
Andrew Pyne, Chief Executive, of the Federation of Bakers commented:
The Baking Forum was delighted to support the Bakers Benevolent Society. We are extremely proud to have been able to present a cheque for £20,000 to such a deserving cause. Having seen the baking industry turn out in large numbers for an inaugural and positively received event, it's been a wonderful bonus to have been able to give something back to a cause that is close to the industry's heart.
The cheque presentation coincided with the Society's 50 year celebration of being in Epping, and was celebrated by a residents tea party.
Chris Tomkins of the Bakers Benevolent Society expressed his thanks, saying:
The Bakers Benevolent Society is delighted to receive this significant amount of money which we aim to spend on our next project which is to update and improve our fire detection system and our warden call system to ensure the best possible safety and security for residents and staff. On their behalf we cannot thank you enough.
The Baker's Benevolent Society provides sheltered housing for retired members of the Baking Industry and Allied Trades and continues to provide independent living within its Almshouse scheme, Bakers' Villas in Epping, Essex. In addition, the Society is proud to support outside beneficiaries around the country in the form of small charitable grants and pensions.