A GROUP of Bradford volunteers have just completed their 35th free birthday cake for a child whose family would not normally be able to afford one.

"We believe every child should have a birthday cake so that their birthday is special," said Kimberley Smith, organiser of Free Cakes for Kids Bradford.

"Some parents simply cannot afford to make or buy a cake so we will make one for them for free.

"Our birthday cakes are baked and decorated by volunteers within the district with the child's favourite theme or style in mind.

"We have orders referred to us by social services, schools, churches, places like that with an application form filled in so we know what is wanted. We do seem to do a lot of unicorn cakes."

Free Cakes for Kids Bradford is part of Free Cakes for Kids Uk, a not-for-profit network and community service to families who don't have the money for a cake for their child.

"Some people struggle to find money for day-to-day food so a birthday cake is often impossible. This is really upsetting so we want to make sure that as many people as possible know about us and know that we will make a cake for their child's special day and it won't cost them a thing. The only stipulation is that the order comes from a proper referral.

She said that because the referrals come from professional bodies they do not need to do any checks because they know there is a genuine need.

"There are around 20 volunteers now in all parts of Bradford. Some are professional cake bakers, some are just hobbyists who want to do something good for a child.

"We started in May and have baked and presented 35 cakes up to now but we are definitely getting busier and want to grow our network of volunteers too," she added.

Kimberley, 33, from Wyke, said if a referral comes in for a particular area of Bradford she gets in touch with a volunteer who lives nearby to see if they are able to make and deliver it.

"It makes things so much easier, although some of our volunteers don't drive. Another person will deliver it on their behalf and report back the parents or child's reaction when they received it.

"One lady was so happy and grateful she cried when we made a cake for her daughter, she added.

She said the group does some fundraising to buy ingredients and occasionally they will be donated items which she shares out. Recently someone had donated some cooking chocolate which she shared out among the bakers.

On other occasions they have had bake sales and have recently set up a JustGiving fundraising page to raise £1,000 towards running costs.

"We all volunteer our time so any help towards the cost of ingredients is very welcome."

"The reward we get is seeing the faces of the child or the reaction of the parent."

One of the latest cakes made was by 13-year-old Cheya Watson. Cheya is the daughter of volunteer Hannah Watson and she made the cake as part of her Duke of Edinburgh bronze award.

To donate to the fundraising page go to: https://bit.ly/2BLAWWN