charity Time for Tea Jane Asher, president of Arthritis Care, tells us why shes heading up the Time for Tea campaign and why you should get involved, too WOrds: traCeY LattIMOre EXPAND E veryone loves a cuppa. and a slice of cake, for that matter. and if the viewing figures for The Great British Bake-O are to be believed, most of us either love baking, or else enjoy watching and sampling the sweet successes of our baker friends. Which is why arthritis Cares new Time for Tea campaign is so timely. Were asking people, groups of friends, colleagues, neighbours and communities to hold tea parties during the week of 12 october 2015, World arthritis Day, to raise funds for our charity and also raise awareness of the isolation that is often suffered as a result of this condition. We hope that there will be 200 tea parties held nationwide, and that this becomes an annual fundraising event. Jane asher, president of arthritis Care, is heading up the campaign because she cares deeply about the charity and its work and believes that giving a tea party can be a very enjoyable way of raising funds. Baking, having a cup of tea and getting together with friends feels familiar and cosy these are really comforting feelings, she says. its also a great way to raise money and spread the word about the range of work arthritis Care does, and what it can do for you. World arthritis Day will be celebrated at the begining of the week, and is important in raising awareness. arthritis is a condition that people have enormous misconceptions about, says Jane. Firstly that its a condition that only old people get; secondly that its just a few inevitable aches and pains that you have to put up with; and thirdly that its not as common as it actually is. The truth is not only that it affects young people as well as the elderly, but also that it can be extremely serious rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis are far more life-changing than people think. and, sadly, more and more of us will be affected by arthritis, partly because we are tending to live longer, and because of the growing obesity crisis. i hope that some of the messages that we put across will be reinforced. We want people to help themselves, in ways such as losing weight, doing more exercise to keep their joints moving or at least going to their GP no-one should sit in silence. i hope that people will join their local branch of arthritis Care, pick up leaflets and help themselves to manage the pain. To me, the most important thing is spreading these messages. JANES TOP TIPS n dont aim to have the perfect party just have a happy and enjoyable one n I like a strong cup of tea with milk, but have a variety of teas (and coee) ready for others n dont try to be too clever with cakes. do something simple, or bake ahead and put it in the freezer and then ice on the day. Theres always more to do at the last minute n dont be afraid to cut corners. You could use a cake mix like I do if I have little time; you dont have to do everything from scratch n Have fun choosing a theme for your tea party n Think up icebreaker games that also raise money Go for it so why should people host their own Time for Tea party? Jane believes that doing so will be enjoyable for everyone involved and that people are only too willing to support good causes. We are often asked to donate money to good causes, but here you can have fun and raise money at the same time and help to spread the word, she says. We all know of someone with arthritis, so this is a way of helping someone possibly very dear to you and enjoying yourself at the same time. you cant really go wrong. No-one minds if your cakes arent spectacular justgo ahead and do it! Be brave ask your friends.itsmuch easier to ask people to an event if theres a worthy cause, and this is so lovely and simple.Consider inviting someone you hardly knowthey might be thrilled, they might not get outmuch. its a good chance to break down barriersand get to know new neighbours. and Janes the first to admit that where cakes are concerned, theres no such thing as a healthy option. Thats a misnomer, she laughs. if you are going to have a cake, have a proper one. of course, those with coeliac disease or diabetes have to be careful, but for the average person, its fine. Cake is not an everyday food its a treat so go ahead and enjoy it! Heres how you can order your free Time for Tea pack: www.arthritiscare.org.uk/timefortea 020 7380 6559, timefortea@arthritiscare.org.uk Jane Asher demonstrates how to make a chocolate traybake Arthritis Care thanks BioElectronics Corporation for its kind sponsorship of Time for Tea
