BRENTWOOD’S Biggest Coffee Morning arrived at The Baytree Shopping Centre in support of Saint Francis Hospice over the weekend, bringing together shoppers, local businesses and the wider community for two fantastic days of fundraising and support.
Taking place on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th May from 10am until 3pm inside the centre, the two-day fundraising event drew visitors into the centre to enjoy tea and coffee provided by Grove House School, delicious cakes and a brilliant ice cream cart from Bennetts Funeral Directors, raffles and plenty of feel-good community spirit, all in support of a truly important local cause.
Adding to the excitement across the weekend, The Mayor of Brentwood, Cllr Jay Laplain, alongside the Mayoress, Mrs Vanessa Laplain, visited the event on Friday to officially cut the ribbon and welcome shoppers into Brentwood’s Biggest Coffee Morning, showing their support for the incredible fundraising taking place. Essex’s best baker and Andy Ryan also made a special appearance at the event, encouraging the community to come down and support a charity close to his heart.
The atmosphere throughout the centre was full of community spirit, with visitors stopping by to donate, meet the hospice team and enjoy the fantastic line-up of activities taking place across the weekend. A huge thank you also went to Kamal at Guided Learning, who kindly donated tea, coffee and cakes to help support the event. There was also a colouring competition displayed in the unit from local schools including Grove House School, St Thomas of Canterbury Church of England Primary School and Brentwood Preparatory School. The winner will receive a hamper, and the designs will be showcased at a future Coffee Morning event in Brentwood. A huge thank you also went to Dan from Poundland for donating a tea, coffee and biscuit bundle that ran as a competition on The Baytree Shopping Centre’s Facebook page.
Cllr Jay Laplain, Mayor of Brentwood commented: “Saint Francis Hospice is a charity that means a great deal to so many people across our community, and it was fantastic to see Brentwood coming together to support such an important cause. The atmosphere at The Baytree Shopping Centre was brilliant, with local businesses, families and visitors all getting involved. Events like this truly showcase the community spirit we have in Brentwood, and every donation made across the weekend will help support the incredible work carried out by Saint Francis Hospice every single day.”
Charlotte Winder from Saint Francis Hospice added: “We were delighted to have worked with The Baytree Shopping Centre for the special Coffee Morning event. It was fantastic to have seen the community coming together to support Saint Francis Hospice, while helping us raise awareness of the services we provide. Thank you to The Baytree Shopping Centre.”
The fundraising fun continued across Saturday with fresh donuts available for a donation alongside the centre’s popular Local Artisan Market, featuring a fantastic selection of independent traders selling handmade gifts, crocheted items and much more. The Essex Wildlife team also attended to offer advice and support to visitors.
Maria Kyriacou-Edwards from The Baytree Shopping Centre commented: “It was amazing to have seen such a positive response. There was a real feel-good atmosphere around the centre and we’re proud to have supported Saint Francis Hospice with an event that brought so many people together.”
The weekend proved to be a fantastic success, with visitors enjoying the welcoming atmosphere while helping to raise vital funds and awareness for Saint Francis Hospice.
For more information, visit www.baytreeshoppingcentre.com.
