Bake Off's over, now head to Kinghorn for CakeFest!

CakeFest, an event celebrating cakes, is the brainchild of Darrian Wilson, a Fife Flyers fan, who started up the event in memory of his partner Helen Morton.

Helen was just 37 when she passed away from cancer in September last year.

The first Fife Cakefest was held on what would have been her 38th birthday on December 4, 2015.

Darrian (43), who lives in Inverkeithing, where he and Helen ran a business supplying Scouting and outdoor goods and accessories, thought up the idea to raise money for the Fife Hospice in the grounds of Victoria Hospital, where Helen, who was a very colourful and outgoing character, spent her final weeks.

Darrian said: “When I visited Helen in the hospice I thought that it could do with some little things which would help it to be more homely and cosy for people spending time there.

“That’s why I decided to do some fundraising after Helen passed away.

“The first CakeFest was an emotional day as it was on Helen’s birthday, but it made me feel a bit better that I was doing something worthwhile.

“I don’t bake myself, but I love eating cakes!

“That’s why I chose to celebrate cake.

“We only had a handful of entries for the competition last year, but it was still a really good event, and with ticket sales, a raffle and donations we raised £1000.”

The money was used to buy and fill special self-watering planters and hanging baskets to spruce up the hospice garden.

This year’s CakeFest, which has been extended to include children and professional categories, will take place on November 13 at The Bay in Kinghorn from 2pm, and all people have to do to enter is submit a home-baked cake on this year’s theme of Scottish icons.

Entries will then be judged by members of the public.

Entry is £5 which will include a cuppa and a cake, and there will also be a raffle and a small exhibition of photographs taken by Helen, who was a keen photographer.

“Last year’s event was small, but still raised a big amount and I am hoping this year’s will be even bigger and better,” said Darrian.

“I would love it to become an annual event that people looked out for and put on their calendars.

“It is a fun event for a very worthy cause and no previous baking experience is necessary.”

To enter, simly email Darrian at [email protected] or visit the Facebook page for the event: @cakefestfife.

Personal Thoughts by Darrian Wilson

End of life support and caring is never an easy topic and I take my hat off to the staff at Victoria Hospice who do a tremendous job in a respectful and compassionate manner.

Every now and then they get a patient like Helen who could be described as slightly more demanding in regards to not being happy just sitting around and needing to stay busy.

Helen and I were always busy people whether it was through our Scouting (we were both Scout leaders), running a business or just being out and about and enjoying ourselves, so suddenly being confined to a bed or wheelchair through illness was a complete change of pace for her.

Whilst in and about the Hospice for about two months when I was visiting Helen, I started to notice small things that could be enhanced but don’t fall within the clinical budget.

I wanted to help with the small things that would make a difference to a patient’s stay, not just to say thank you to the Hospice for caring for Helen so well, but when it comes to palliative or end of life care I believe people should be in the best possible environment.

Raising the money through Cakefest to help provide the little things was the way I figured out I could help, and I know Helen would have liked that idea too.

I am very grateful to all those generous people who support me in my endeavours, and I hope they will join me at this year’s Cakefest.