TELEVISION star Sam Nixon has crowned the winners of the Big Barnsley Bake Off competition which was held to raise vital funds for Barnsley Hospice.
Rai Plews, from Worsbrough, and Claire Coles, from Athersley, were jointly named star bakers after raising more than £1,150 between them, with the help of friends and family.
The year 11 class at Netherwood Academy in Wombwell scooped the showstopper award for their collective cakes and enjoyed a visit from Sam last Friday. He presented Rai and Claire with their certificates at the hospice later that day.
The Big Barnsley Bake Off competition ran throughout September and October, and invited people, schools, workplaces, clubs and community groups to hold bake sales and tea parties.
Sam, of Monk Bretton, found fame on Pop Idol, Celebrity Masterchef and CBBC’s Junior Bake Off. This is the second time he has judged the Big Barnsley Bake Off.
He said: “It’s an absolute pleasure to be part of this fundraiser and I’ve been really impressed this year by both the standard of baking and the amount of money raised. “It’s great to see the people of Barnsley go to so much effort to support such an important charity. Rai, Claire and the pupils at Netherwood, are all very worthy winners.”
This is the second year Barnsley Hospice has run the competition and more than £7,500 has been raised so far.
Bethan Gledhill, community fundraiser at the hospice, said: “Once again we’ve been blown away by the support for this initiative and we’re already looking forward to the Big Barnsley Bake Off in 2018. Watch this space.”
