The Big Birthday Appeal is calling families across the North West to host afternoon tea parties to help provide vital respite care for Jewish children with special needs.

 The official Big Birthday Tea Party month is June, but supporters can host a party at any time that suits them. Instead of bringing a gift, guests are asked to make a donation to Big Birthday.

The money raised from the initiative will go to The Fed’s Project Smile. This provides much needed respite care for Jewish children with special needs and their parents, who often care for them 24/7. Family support workers help and encourage children to participate in leisure, educational and daily living activities. At the same time this enables parents, carers and other family members to have a period of respite from their caring role.

Suzy Glaskie, co-founder of the Big Birthday Appeal, commented: “The Big Birthday Tea Party is a really easy and fun way to raise money for Jewish children with special needs – and you don’t need to be Nigella Lawson to get involved! Whether your cakes are homemade or bought in, it’s an opportunity to enjoy the company of friends and family whilst ensuring that local children get the help and care they need.

“As we gear up for the summer holidays, it’s easy to forget that there are children right here in our community who need round-the-clock care.  This is the third year that Big Birthday has run this campaign and we’re hoping that more families than ever will hold a tea party to give parents much needed respite from the 24/7 challenge of caring for a child with special needs.”

If you’d like to host a Big Birthday Tea Party, text Suzy on 07545 424 478 or email: info@thebigbirthdayappeal.org.

For more information about Project Smile visit www.thefed.org.uk or call 0161 772 4800