A Cardiff woman has pledged to deliver bread and soup to 100 addresses in the city to raise money for charity this March.
Elisabeth Mahoney, a former Guardian journalist and keen baker lost her 84 year old mother-in-law Patricia Hull to stomach cancer in February.
Elisabeth felt particularly close to Patricia: “You’re not supposed to get on with your mother-in-law, but I adored mine. She had such enthusiasm for life, and relished every single moment.” She said.
“Pat was the loveliest woman, so kind and a real mumsy person. Everyone who met her instantly loved her – she was such a generous, happy spirit. We’re lucky to have so many happy memories of times with her.”
Elisabeth hoped to raise £500 for Macmillan Cancer Support in gratitude for their support during the course of Patricia’s illness, but she was surprised by the reaction.
“We have already raised more than £500 and we are hoping to get £700-800 pounds.
“I was amazed by the response.”
Elisabeth has run One Mile Bakery from her kitchen since 2012. It’s a small business that delivers breads and other baked goods and soups to addresses within a one-mile radius in Llandaff, Pontcanna and Canton.
A delivery is priced at £5 or above, all of which will go to Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity which specialises in provide care and support to victims of cancer and their families.
It will be hard work fulfilling all those orders, considering that most deliveries are made by bike.
But for Elisabeth, it’s a worthwhile sacrifice: “I didn’t know how my family would have lasted without their help. I wanted to do something to say thank you.”
Elisabeth says that Macmillan stayed with the family all the way. The charity provided a carer, companionship and advice.
“I have friends before who suffered from cancer. But when it happens to your family you need support. “
Three representatives came to the funeral, which was held yesterday at St Andrew’s Church in Catford, South East London, where Patricia was married.
“It was lovely that they were there,” she said. “I have been moved by what I have seen.”
It addition to using her baking skills to raise money for the charity, Elisabeth also made some of her mother-in-law’s favourite bread and soups during her illness, and later, her favourite cakes for her send-off.
This month’s deliveries will also include some of Patricia’s favourite recipes.
She said: “Making something for somebody – that’s one on the most nourishing things I can do for somebody.”
There are still delivery spaces left and people who want to take part can contact One Mile Bakery on 07939 211809 or visit their facbook page at https://www.facebook.com/TheOneMileBakery.
