Local people are being invited to enjoy afternoon tea at Laserase Bolton in the grounds of the Royal Bolton Hospital on Saturday afternoon and help raise money to support women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

The Big Bolton Charity Cake Bake and Cake Sale takes place at Laserase Bolton, opposite the ambulance station on the Royal Bolton Hospital site, on Saturday October 10th from 2.00pm to 4.30pm, and everyone is welcome.

Dorret Conway, one of the participants in this year’s Great British Bake Off, will be announcing the winners of the cake bake at 3pm and this will be followed by an auction of the winning cakes. There will then be a charity cake sale and tea, coffee and other refreshments will be served.

The event aims to raise awareness of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and to raise money for national charity Verity – which supports women whose lives are affected by Polycystic Ovary Syndrome – and the Gynaecology and Dermatology departments of the hospital, which help women with this syndrome.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming people for afternoon tea on Saturday and the chance to buy some of the award winning cakes,” says Julie Kershaw, Clinic Manager at Laserase Bolton. “This will be a fun opportunity to view the amazing cakes – or catastrophes! – produced by our budding bakers and to sample the results.”

Dorret Conway will lead a team of three judges for the Big Bolton Charity Cake Bake, which also includes Janet Marshall, cake development expert at Park Cakes in Bolton, and Keith Wallis, Senior Head Chef at the four star Holiday Inn Bolton Centre. There are four categories in the competition which are open to everyone: the Best Decorated Cake Award; the Tastiest Cake Award; the Most Creative Cake Award and the Biggest Cake Catastrophe Award. There will also be a Best Cake in the Competition Award.

Prizes for the cake bake include afternoon tea for two at Slattery’s, a family run patissier and chocolatier in Whitefield, and afternoon tea for two at the Holiday Inn Bolton Centre. There will also be a charity raffle and competitions for children, such as decorate a biscuit and guess the weight of a cake.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that affects millions of women. The symptoms of PCOS include ovarian cysts, irregular periods, difficulty getting pregnant, weight gain, excessive hair growth on the face and body, hair loss from the head, acne and the increased risk of getting certain types of cancer.

Julie Kershaw adds: “We hope lots of people will be able to come along and help us raise funds for this worthwhile cause, while enjoying afternoon tea and cakes.”