# Great British Bake Off inspires millions to fundraise with charity bake sales

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/08/05/great-british-bake-off-inspires-millions-to-fundraise-with-charity-bake-sales/
- Published: 2015-08-05T09:09:19+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**The BBC’s Great British Bake Off series has brought an unexpected benefit to charities
across the country, as it has inspired millions to fundraise through charity bake
sales.**

The rise in charity bake sales was uncovered by research for [Charities Aid Foundation](http://www.cafonline.org)(
CAF). A public opinion poll by Populus on behalf of the charity found that in the
past 12 months:

• bake sales in Great Britain had raised an estimated **£185 million** for charity

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• nearly **six million people** took part in a charity bake sale

• almost **four million** people have baked for charity (8%), while **nearly 15 
million** have bought food from a charity bake sale (30%)

• on average people spent **£12** in fundraising bake sales

• baking for charity is **most popular among 25 to 34 year olds**: 13% of them say
they have baked for a good cause in the past 12 months.

• the people most likely to have bought from a charity bake sale live in **Yorkshire
and Humber**: 45% of them have done so, compared to 21% of people in Scotland and
Eastern England.

• enjoyment is at the core of fundraising cake sales: 63% of those surveyed said
that raising money for charity is a good reason to do something they enjoy

• 20% of people agree that cake tastes better when it has been baked for a good 
cause.

The Great British Bake Off certainly attracts large numbers of viewers: 12.3 million
viewers watched the final in 2014 to see Nancy Birtwhistle crowned as the winner.

 

![The Great British Bake Off - photo copyright: Love Productions](https://www.fundraising.
co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/8948649-the-great-british-bake-off-bbc-copyright-
love-productions.jpg)

The Great British Bake Off returns to BBC tonight for its sixth series. Image: BBC/
Love Productions/Mark Bourdillon

 

## Charity cake events

Of course, charities across the UK have been raising funds from bake sales and coffee
mornings for long before Bake Off appeared on screens. In 2014 the World’s Biggest
Coffee Morning by Macmillan Cancer Support raised a record-breaking £25 million.
In addition, bake sales by Marie Curie Cancer Care, Great Ormond Street Hospital,
children’s medical research charity Sparks and Help For Heroes have also raised 
substantial sums.

 

![John Lowe on baking and fundraising](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/wp-content/
uploads/2015/08/john-lowe-baking-fundraising.jpg)

 

CAF’s Chief Executive John Low said:

> “It is great to see that the success of Great British Bake Off has not only whipped
> up enthusiasm for baking but that so many people are folding in the opportunity
> to ‘self-raise’ money for charities.”
> “As well as being a nation with a sweet tooth, we have a proud track record of
> supporting good causes. Through participation in bake sales and bake-offs, the
> Great British public have once again revealed their huge generosity and support
> for the work of our Great British charities.”

 

**About the poll**

[Populus ](http://www.populus.co.uk)interviewed a random sample of 1,031 adults 
aged 18+ online between 24 and 26 July 2015. Interviews were conducted across Great
Britain and the results have been weighted to be representative of all British adults.
Populus is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

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