TEA is making a comeback in Great Britain which was good news for television and gardening favourite Charlie Dimmock when she turned up at Treloar School to launch the 2007 'Tea for Treloar's' campaign. Held in the grounds of the school in Upper Froyle, the event took the form of a magnificent tea-party for supporters. Already well established, the Tea for Treloar's fundraising campaign was set up five years ago in aid of the Treloar Trust, which provides groundbreaking education, independence training, therapy and residential support for disabled young people in Britain. Last month, Tesco reported the great tea revival, revealing that sales of speciality teas, teapots, scones, cream cakes and patisseries had all risen significantly in the past 12 months. Figures from retail analysts Mintel support the trend and there is currently a six-week booking backlog for afternoon teas at The Ritz in London. Treloar's on the other hand, has known the tea revival was brewing for some time, as shown by the continuing success of its Tea for Treloar's campaign. Since their inception, the Tea for Treloar's tea parties have been staged from the Channel Islands to San Francisco. Personalities such as Terry Wogan, Canon Roger Royle, Michael Aspel, Joanna Lumley, Bob Holness, Alan Titchmarsh and Edwina Currie, football teams and pop groups have all raised a cuppa to help Treloar's fundraising. Ms Dimmock has promised to host a tea party for the winner of a fundraisers' prize draw. "With tea drinking as traditional in Britain as giving to worthy causes, the Tea for Treloar's charity campaign encourages the nation to combine both – by raising a cuppa and raising funds to help physically disabled students from throughout the UK who receive education and independence training at Treloar School and College," said Jon Colville, Treloar's community development manager. Whether it is an American-style Boston Tea Party or an Alice in Wonderland children's tea party, organisers will be in good company as Treloar supporters throughout the country pop the kettle on to brew up funds for the Alton-based charity. "Tea for Treloar's tea party organisers simply have to make a small charge or ask for a donation. We are hoping that people will party like there's no tea-morrow!" said Jon Colville. Tea for Treloar's information packs containing ideas for fundraising are available from Fiona or Wendy on: 01420 526511/523 or by [email protected]">[email protected].
