Eat cake and raise money is the idea at the heart of a new fundraising project by conservation charity Friends of the Lake District launching on Saturday 19 November.

The idea behind 'Cakes for the Lakes' is to get people baking recipes created in Cumbria and to hold a fundraising tea party for their friends to raise money to protect the Lake District's landscapes. Recipes have been created and donated by expert pastry chefs and cake makers, teashops and bakeries from all over Cumbria.

The first recipes from 'More?' Artisan Bakery in Staveley, Lakeland Pedlar Café in Keswick, Dane Stone Cards, and Natland and Oxenholme Women's Institute, are available now, with more being added each month. Recipes include Helm Gingerbread and Whinlatter Forest Gateau.

Free recipe cards are available for anyone keen to bake one of the delicious cakes and raise some money for Friends of the Lake District. Cassie Harrison of Friends of the Lake District has been testing all the recipes and said: "This is a great way to get your family and friends together over a lovely piece of cake, as well as helping us raise money so that we can continue to look after the Lake District, by for example, giving environmental grants to communities and supporting our tree planting this winter."

Cakes for the Lakes is being launched on Saturday 19th November by local food writer and chef Annette Gibbons OBE, at Kendal United Reformed Church Hall, Highgate, from 9am-1pm. Join Annette and Friends for a coffee morning and raffle where Cakes for the Lakes recipes can be sampled, as well as other goodies. Kendal businesses Ginger Bakers and the Waterside Café have already promised a cake towards fundraising. Click here for the event poster.

Everyone is welcome to call in at the free event, to enjoy tea, coffee and locally made goodies - a welcome break from the rigours of shopping! For more information call us on 01539 720788 or see our Cakes for the Lakes page.