Fancy a Double-D Cup (cake)?
I'm really excited and honoured to be a part of the new campaign from Coppafeel. It's called Cake O'Clock and starts later this month. 
Coppafeel is a breast cancer charity aimed at raising awareness in younger women after its founder, Kristin, was diagnosed with Breast Cancer at just 23. See more info about Kristin on their site: http://www.coppafeel.org/
The Cake O'Clock appeal will aim to get people across the country to have a bake sale and raise money for the charity from November 20th. But it's not just any cakes - it's boob cakes! And why not? Cupcakes come in various sizes, as do boobs. 
One thing I learned from our Eat Your Heart Out 2012 project is that cake is a fantastic way to engage people with a topic that's important. Also, my experience fronting the Shoreditch Clandestine Cake Club has shown me that cake is a sharey-lovely way to get to know people, chat and generally have a good time.
The amazing Miss Insomnia Tulip who created the anatomical breast cake below will be donating one of these to auction off during the event in Islington on the 24th:

I will be making smaller boob cakes but I will be flavouring them Vanilla as it is said that men enjoy vanilla as it reminds them of their mother's breast milk! Who knows if that's true but it's a good experiment to see how many cakes I can flog to the boyfriends of the attendees. All money goes to Coppafeel of course :)
See more info about how you can get involved here:

http://www.coppafeel.org/cakeoclock

Coppafeel have patrons such as Fearne Cotton who are young, funky and stylish and their charity events reflect the youth and enthusiasm of the organisers. Recently, they had a Boobie "Flash Mob" in St Christopher's place off Oxford Street and it looked like so much fun! You can see the footage for yourself:

I was so impressed by this I mentioned it on a recent podcast I did for Londonist Out Loud. I wanted to talk the flash mob for ages but alas we also had to get through various other cake and death topics. If you have an hour and fancy hearing more about Eat Your Heart Out and the other events at the Pathology Museum where I work you can listen here:

http://londonist.com/2012/10/londonistoutloud26oct.php 

I'll be updating with more Cake O'Clock details as I get them but for now please do check out their website. You can apply to have text reminders for boob checks and you can even get your boyfriend involved. I got mine to name my boobs for the purpose of the text reminder and he opted for Mickey and Mallory... What names can you come up with? xox

"Big Chocolate Tea Party!" For....

Every April the SCT encourages people to throw a choccy tea party and also has stalls to sell donated cakes. This year one was in Borough Market and I baked a cake as well as helped out on the stall for a few hours. Oh my gosh it was so difficult not to shove my face in all the lovely cakes!

A nice little surprise was the organiser of 'The Cake And Bake Show 2012" which will be in earls Court during September. He donated lots of pink and glittery vanilla cupcakes that went like hot-cakes...or like cup-cakes I guess..!

I think it's definitely time to change that phrase from hot-cakes to cup-cakes as it seems the delicious single portion delights have never been so popular. In fact the lovely organiser of the campaign, Sophie Dean (Community Fundraiser for SCT), tells me we took over £1000 that day for the SCT so all in all it was a massive success :)
Thanks to everyone who came down on the day and thanks for the donated cakes from The Cake and Bake Show, Beas of Bloomsbury and Ms Cupcake among others. hope to see you at the next one xox

www.sickchildrenstrust.org

'Big Chocolate Tea Party' in aid of The Sick Childrens Trust
Listen up, cake bitches! - now it's time to put your money (and your time) where your mouth is: Bake a big chocolate cake for this Saturday (April 7th) then head to Borough Market with your wares...

www.sickchildrenstrust.org

The Sick Childrens Trust are running the Big Chocolate Tea Party campaign throughout April in order to raise money to provide accomodation for the parents of sick children. This is because there are many children who need to be treated far from the family home for their conditions, and this can put a financial strain on parents and siblings. (See the direct link on your right.)
Last year the campaign enabled the SCT to provide over 600 nights of free accomodation to the families of sick children, so lets try and top that this year :)

Head down to the lovely Borough Market from Saturday early morning, either to donate a cake or to buy one. I'll be taking two cakes with me, one donated by the fantastic Crimson Heart Cafe in Shoreditch (see my other posts labelled 'Crimson Heart') and one made by my own fair hands! I'll also be volunteering on the stall so come and say 'Hi' and fill your face :) See you then xox

"Love Makes the World Go Round" Charity #14 -
The British Heart Foundation
This is it, the big one, Day 14...Valentine's Day! And what more appropriate charity than the British Heart Foundation? Go to http://www.bhf.org.uk/ to see what you can do to help. There are so many interesting ways to get involved, such as volunteering in their shops or hosting an event.

Today, I'm contributing by holding a heart-related seminar at my Pathology Museum, with all proceeds going to the BHF.

We also have some lovely cakes to raffle off, courtesy of Mia at Crimson Heart (See the review of this lovely tea shop at http://www.afternoon-tease.blogspot.com/2012_01_01_archive.html and pop in for a cuppa as soon as you can.)

xox

"Love Makes The World Go Round" Charity # 13 -
The British Red Cross
I've been really ill over the weekend so I'm way behind in my charities! However, apart from the red/valentine connection it is also quite fitting to mention the Red Cross during my illness as they are synonymous with first-aid and health. In fact the BRC also contribute to health and social care, emergency preparedness and disaster response, as well as finding missing family, refugee services and teaching resources.

6-12th May will be host to Red Cross Week 2012 and you can find out how to contribute to that here: http://www.redcross.org.uk/Get-involved/Red-Cross-Week
However, in the meantime, take some time to see what else you can do at http://www.redcross.org.uk/ or follow them on Twitter @BritishRedCross xox

"Love Makes the World go Round" Charity #10 -
Breast Cancer Campaign "Wear It Pink"
The colours red and pink are as synonymous with Valentine's Day as chocolates, heart and roses, but in more recent years pink has taken on a different significance. The success of the Wear it Pink campaign for breast cancer means that every October we can wear, eat and drink pink for charity and even buy related beauty products and toiletries etc. 

I even dyed my hair pink for this charity! See what you can do at: http://www.wearitpink.co.uk/. Fitting in with my ChariTEA idea, there is now a recipe for pink cakes by Lorraine Pascale at: http://www.wearitpink.co.uk/recipes_lorraine-fondant.aspx

It's all for a very good cause as:
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer
1in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime
12,000 people (men and women) die of this disease each year.
Wear it pink month isn't officially until October but that means you have plenty of time to prepare a pink party or event (260 days according to the timer on the website). Check the website and see how creative you can be with pink xox

"Love Makes the World Go Round" Charity #9 -
UNSEEN (UK) to fight Sex Trafficking
This really is a worthwhile cause so please read on to make a massive difference in the lives of trafficked victims. According to Unseen ( http://www.unseenuk.org/):
1) Human Trafficking is the fastest growing form of International Crime and is now the second largest illegal trade in the world.
2) It is estimated that 600-800,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year.
3) Human Trafficking is the modern day Slave Trade and must be stopped.

You may not have a lot of money or time to help with causes such as this, but there is something SO simple you can do with any unwanted Valentine's gifts (or any gifts) this year....create a 'care package' for survivors of trafficking containing toiletries, pyjamas and clothes. Please contact info@unseenuk.org if you'd like to assist and also see
http://www.unseenuk.org/content/what-you-can-do for other things you can do to help xox

"Love Makes the World go Round" Charity #8 - Gresham College
Not strictly a 'charity', more a 'cause', Gresham College has been holding free lectures around London for 400 years! They receive no money from the government and are mainly funded by generous trustees who see the importance of the work they do

It is commonly said that 'knowledge is power' and the immense priviledge we have in this country of recieving free education should never be underestimated. If you can't afford to donate to the college, simply look up their epic list of forthcoming lectures on their website:
http://www.gresham.ac.uk/
For me, a particular 'Valentine' related lecture is the one on 21st Feb entitled "Whatever Turns You On..."
http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/whatever-turns-you-on
but there are many other topics including Divinity, Astronomy and Music. Check them out xox

"Love Makes the World go Round" Charity #7 - Organ Donation (NHSBT)
According to their statistic, only 29% of us have actually registered as an organ donor, yet when asked nearly 100% of us say we would happily recieve an organ if we needed it! It may not be the most cheerful of topics but if you feel strongly about it you must remember to opt IN to the system. Unlike some other European countries, we don't have an opt OUT system

Maybe this is the one instance where it seems like it's not better to give than to receive, but it's best to be prepared for any eventuality....
Get yourself on the register at http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/ukt/

"Love Makes the World go Round" Charity #6 - The Eve Appeal

For some people, sexy underwear is a must at this time of year, but do we really stop and think about the bits we put inside the underwear and how much care they need? Recent high profile cervical cancer cases are creating awareness of the need to diagnose these illnesses early, but more still needs to be done : 7,500 women a year die in the UK alone. The Eve Appeal funds vital research to develop better methods of prediction, detection, treatment and care of all gynaecological cancers and is a worthwhile fund to donate to: http://www.eveappeal.org.uk/

If you’d like to be more actively involved, March 2012 is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and there is a new campaign being launched: “Make Time For Tea”. Keep checking this blog as I will be organising a few ‘chariTEAS’ this year, and Eve will definitely be one of them J

http://www.eveappeal.org.uk/media-centre/make-time-for-tea/

"Love Makes the World go Round" Charity #5 - Present Aid
This one's fairly self explanatory... Do we really need to buy each other crotchless knickers, red furry handcuffs and pasta shaped like penises this Valentine's Day? Especially when there are people out there who could do so much more with the same amount of money...

Go to their website and donate instead - http://www.presentaid.org/ and you'll be able to reap the benefits of knowing you did a fantastic thing for someone who really needs it. And if you'r partner doesn't appreciate that, I suggest trading them in for someone less selfish :) xox

"Love Makes the World go Round" Charity #4 - Guerilla Gardening
Instead of buying flowers for a loved one this Valentine's day, why not plant some foliage in a place that really needs it? At least it won't be dry and dessicated within a few days like a shop-bought bunch would be. That's what the philosophy of Guerilla Gardening is all about: planting flowers in urban areas under the cover of night (balaclava optional..?)

If you don't have time to join a troop yourself , then you can make a donation or buy gifts (like lavender pillows) to fund the cause here: http://www.guerrillagardening.org/ xox

"Love Makes the World go Round"Charity #3 - The Orchid Project

When you head to the salon to get your bikini wax and beautify yourself for Valentine’s Day, think about the women in places such as Africa, The Middle East, Yemen, Oman, Asia, Malaysia and Indonesia who are still forced to undergo Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) There are charities, such as The Orchid Project, which raise money and awareness about this barbaric procedure - one that is becoming increasingly common in the UK. Donate to put an end to Female Genital Mutilation and see how you can get involved with the cause at http://www.orchidproject.org/

Also, you still have time to get involved (or should that be in-'vulved') with the fantastic 'Embroidries Project' spearheaded by the Shoreditch Sisters Branch of the Women's Institute: http://embroideriescampaign.org.uk/index.html xox

"Love Makes the World go Round" Charity #2 -
Craftivist Collective

Every year, the Craftivist Collective hijacks Valentine’s Day to remind people to “show some love” to their global neighbours. All you have to do is print out the template letter, make the key ring which was designed by cult jeweller Tatty Devine, and add a ‘love-heart’ sweet. (All info is on their website - http://craftivist-collective.com/ )

Then hide it somewhere subvert but out in public and spread the love. Go on!! You’ve got nearly 2 weeks! Take a pic of where you placed it and send it to the Craftivist Collective, and see how many we can get this year.

PS - London craftivists are meeting Thursday 6pm to 9pm 9th February in Fabrications craft shop open studio (7 Broadway Market, Hackney). All are welcome to come for the whole time or just drop in for a cuppa tea, biscuit and to make as many as you can. We are encouraging people to give a donation of £5 to cover costs.

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/events/286462724746662/?context=create

"Love Makes the World go Round" Charity #1 - WOZA (Women of Zimbabwe Arise)

Since its formation in 2003, members of womens rights organisation WOZA have been repeatedly harassed by Zimbabwean authorities for speaking out about social, economic and human rights injustices. Every year, on Valentine's day, they march - and roses have been handed out at these marches since 2005. Here in London I understand there is a demonstration organised for Feb 14th (12-2pm) outside the Zimbabwean Embassy (426 The Strand - nearest station Charing Cross). It is planned that roses will be hand delivered to the embassy on the day and possibly there will also be a petition to sign.

If you can't make the demo, please use the link to the WOZA action sheet to carry out 2 important tasks:
1) Send a rose to the Zimbabwean Embassy in London
2) Write to the Zimbabwean deputy Comissioner general.
Link to pdf is:
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_22278.pdf
Link to Amnesty UK info is:
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=10046

"Love Makes the World go Round": 14 day Charity Countdown

Valentine’s Day is traditionally the day we declare our love to our partners or the people we’re admiring from afar. For me, Valentine’s Day has never been limited to just that – I send messages to members of my family to show I’m thinking of them, and I spend the evening in with girlfriends, watching kitsch movies, eating chocolates and drinking pink fizz. It has become more commercial over the years, so I think it’s time to strip it back to its basic message of love and remove all the trappings. This year I’ve organised an event on the 14^th Feb to help raise awareness of heart health and raise money for the British Heart Foundation. That got me thinking….what other ‘relevant’ charities are there that people could be made aware of at this time of year? And it also fits in with my plan to organise more ‘ChariTEAs’ this year…

From my days in Amnesty International and my recent involvement in other campaigns, I decided to compile a list of my most worthy charities loosely connected to Valentine’s day in a 14 Day countdown extravaganza called ‘Love Makes The World Go Round’. So if you agree with what I’m doing, then please re-post the basic details and take the time to check out the more in-depth information on my blog as I post the charities daily. Thanks!J