For the past six years Julie Parkinson has well and truly earned her stripes by baking a host of scrumptious treats and raising money for Bake for Heroes…

Working for the MOD Julie was keen to do her bit and make a difference for our troops, but didn’t know where to start: “So many fundraising events these days are sporting ones and require a skillset that just doesn’t come naturally to me.”

Fortunately, Julie discovered Bake for Heroes. The fundraiser gives people across the country a chance to put their baking and culinary skills to good use, and, having made cupcakes and other tasty bakes since childhood, it’s proven to be an area in which Julie excels.

The sheer selection of Julie’s treats can result in her spending up to 30 hours in the kitchen, but she assures us the end result is always worth it:

“Bake for Heroes is ideal; I try to ensure there’s something for everyone which means I tend to make 20-25 different cakes and biscuits. It might not be an endurance race, but it does sometimes feel like I’ve taken part in a marathon.”

Since putting on her pinny and rising to the occasion in 2012, Julie has collected more than £1,300 for Help for Heroes, and she has no plans to stop anytime soon:

“I love that Help for Heroes supports all branches of the Armed Forces, which means the assistance goes where it’s needed. By doing something as simple as baking a few cakes, we can say a meaningful thank-you to those who have given so much.”

If you’re feeling inspired by Julie’s story, why not join in the fun during Armed Forces Week 23 June–1 July. Your event can be as big, or as small as you like, and raising money really is a piece of cake.

Find out more here.