The sales team at 464 decided to jump on the Great British Bake Off band wagon and create a fun, yet charitable, ‘Verastar Bake Off’ which was held this month in aid of New Start, a heart and lung transplant centre based in Wythenshawe.

The staff’s baking creations were brought in and marked by three impartial judges, to win the prize of Love to Shop vouchers.

New Start was the charity of choice for the inaugural ‘Verastar Bake Off’ not only because they’re a local charity but it’s one close to the heart of our sales trainer, Amy Stirling. Amy’s aunt had a heart transplant through New Start. The charity was set up to provide financial assistance to the heart and lung transplantation programme and future clinical developments in heart and lung surgery at Wythenshawe Hospital.

Sadly Amy lost her aunt two years ago but wanted to give back. Hence the birth of the ‘Verastar Bake Off’ and Amy’s impressive part in the Manchester to Blackpool night ride in September, to raise further donations.

She set off on the 52 mile cycle from the Trafford Centre at midnight and cycled through Lancashire’s sleepy country lanes towards Blackpool’s sea front, putting her mental and physical endurance levels to the test. But it was all worth it as the combined total raised for the bike ride and bake sale combined, was £2716.