A HOSPICE will see the return of its annual charity curry night for the 13th year, and its going virtual again.
Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service, in Maidenhead, is encouraging supporters to come together again for its virtual curry night to raise vital funds for the charity.
The service, which provides care and lifeline support to children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and their families, launched its Big Curry Night In last year.
The virtual fundraising event comes after its annual Scrummy Mummy curry night was unable to go ahead in-person due to covid, which celebrates its 13th year this year.
Last year’s event saw 80 families took part and it helped raise nearly £2,000.
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One of the families that took part was the Shaw family, based in Berkshire.
Mother Vikki Shaw explained why she was one of the first to sign up again this year.
She said: “Our family and friends loved the experience last year and it was such a simple and wonderful way to bring us all together at a time when it was not possible to physically be together.
“We loved that we were all cooking and sharing the same meal even though we were hundreds of miles apart.
Shaw added the fact the meal raised vital funds for the hospice made it even more special.
She said: “We had so much fun last year that we are really looking forward to doing it again with our family and friends.”
Scrummy Mummy was one of the first fundraising events created by charity CEO and mother of Alexander, Fiona Devine.
She started the charity after her Alexander, who was diagnosed in November 2001 with a brain tumour at the age of eight, died when he was eight-years-old.
Her aim was to build a children’s hospice service for Berkshire and this event was created with Alexander at the heart of it.
Surrounded by supporters in the hall of his school, Fiona served up homemade curry, which was his favourite food, followed by his favourite pudding, his Granny’s trifle.
The event was given the name ‘Scrummy Mummy’ after the nickname Alexander had given his mum.
Kate Wright, fundraiser at Alexander Devine Children's Hospice Service, said: “Although our annual Scrummy Mummy night is one of the smaller occasions we host, it is nonetheless, one of the most special for us with it being one of the first fundraisers that our charity organised and its close links to Alexander.”
“It incorporates his favourite foods and the loving moniker he gave his mum.”
Wright said keeping this tradition going means a lot to the charity, which is why they’re holding it virtually instead of cancelling due to covid.
As well as activities for the family to do at home, the kit includes recipe cards for two curry dishes and all the spices that are needed, along with a instructions for how to make Alexander’s favourite pudding – his granny’s trifle.
Wright said: “We were thrilled with how many signed up to join us last year and loved seeing all the photos shared on our dedicated Big Curry Night In Facebook group.
“We know from last year that it was a fun and wonderful way to bring family and friends together, however far apart, and we hope that people will again choose to support our event this year and help us raise the vital funds that we need.”
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The charity is encouraging participants to host their curry night on Friday, February 25, but families are welcome to hold their event at any time that suits them.
To take part in the Big Curry Night In, visit: https://alexanderdevine.org/2022/01/big-curry-night-in/
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