THE QUEEN’S TEA

You could join much-loved cookery writer, restaurateur, and TV presenter Prue Leith and BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell at a charity fundraising event to raise half a million pounds to help disabled children

The Queen’s Tea, an afternoon cream tea and online quiz will be held on Tuesday 4 August at 3pm, raising money for Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People. A host of celebrities are encouraging people to get behind the event, which celebrates the Surrey charity’s 85th anniversary and the birthday of its late Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.

One of the highlights of the event will be the broadcast of a pre-recorded interview with Prue Leith CBE, where she talks about her life and her love of cookery. Prue said, “When QEF asked me to be part of the event, I, of course, said yes as it is such a wonderful cause which needs our support now more than ever. The charity needs to raise £500,000 by the end of September in order to keep its vital services, providing expert support to adults and children with disabilities or acquired brain injuries, going, and I am delighted to be able to play my part in helping them to reach this goal.

“Every charity is under immense pressure now with the impact the pandemic is having on its finances, so I encourage everyone to sign up online and take part in this brilliant event, after all, what better way to while away an afternoon than with a pot of tea and some cakes and scones all for a good cause!”

BBC’s royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell will be live-streamed into the event to give a history of the Queen Mother and QEF, and there will be a performance by the Welsh Guards for all to enjoy. Withchell said, “I have been a supporter of QEF’s work for some 35 years now and I am currently a vice president. I’ve seen first-hand how instrumental its services are in not only giving people their life back after life-changing circumstances but also supporting those who need it most to make sure they live a full and independent life regardless of their disabilities.

“Showing your support by taking part in something as wonderful as the Great British tradition of an afternoon cream tea is the perfect way to help the charity in its time of need and I am really looking forward to being part of the event and sharing my knowledge about the Queen Mother and my memories of this extraordinary lady.”

Money raised from the event will go towards the charity’s recently launched “Survive and Thrive” appeal to help mitigate the losses it has suffered due to the impact of COVID. The charity supports more than 6,000 disabled children and adults every year, enabling them to develop key skills, increase their mobility, maximise their independence, and receive life-changing support from its neurorehabilitation team. 

Karen Deacon, Chief Executive of QEF, added, “It’s wonderful to have the support of Prue and Nicholas to help celebrate our 85th anniversary and mark the birthday of our wonderful late Patron. We hope that our afternoon tea lifts everyone’s spirits and provide a fun way for families or friends to get together (at a social distance in their garden) and show their support for our work.”

There are two ticket options to take part in the Queen’s Tea:

£30 Ticket: A classic cream tea which includes vanilla scones, clotted cream and strawberry jam and English tea delivered to your door with access to the live event and online quiz

£20 Ticket: Host your own cream tea with access to the live event and online quiz

In addition, there will be a celebrity auction where people can bid for the chance to win a 15-minute Zoom call with celebrities including actress Alison Steadman and TV presenter and choreographer Arlene Phillips.

For more information or to purchase a ticket to take part in the Queen’s Tea please visit qef.org.uk/queenstea

About Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People:

Based in Surrey, Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People (QEF) is a national charity working with more than 6,000 disabled children and adults every year with physical or learning disabilities or acquired brain injuries. Whether it is gaining new life skills for living independently, providing assistive equipment, rebuilding a life affected by brain injury, providing accessible holidays, or acquiring the skills to drive a specially adapted car, QEF helps people to maximise their independence and achieve their goals in life.