Hackney’s sweet-toothed residents can do their bit to help victims of the Japanese earthquake thanks to a pioneering fundraiser.
The ‘Cakes for Japan’ pop-up shop is bringing together both amateur and professional bakers and cake designers to raise money for the Japanese Red Cross. It is hoped that the shop, which will be selling cakes today and over the weekend at the Maiden store on Shoreditch High Street, will be the first of many cake sale fundraisers across the country. Similar events are planned in Leeds and Manchester and one has been confirmed for Edinburgh.
Sushi anyone? These cakes and many others will be available. Photo: Heather Clifford
The organiser, known only by her Internet alias ‘Miss Cakehead’, said: “I came up with the idea hours after the quake hit and it is simple, so I knew it could work. We have been encouraging people to get involved across the country.” Miss Cakehead, who works in online PR, has firsthand experience of the destruction caused by an earthquake, having worked in Pakistan for five weeks in 2006. “I still remember the total devastation,” she said.
“That experience makes me realise that people in Japan will need our help – the Pakistan earthquake was terrible, but the devastation I’ve seen in Japan is on another level.”
She hopes the shop will raise upwards of £1,000 on Friday, but Miss Cakehead believes with the nationwide cake-selling, that figure will rise significantly: “Hopefully with all these events combined we can reach the tens of thousands.”
There will be a variety of cakes and cookies for sale, including traditional Japanese fare. Cake will cost as little as £2, but shoppers are encouraged to donate generously. The pop-up shop will be open inside the Maiden store from 11am to 7pm today. Any cakes which are unsold will still be available over the weekend.
‘Cakes for Japan’ is not the only example of Hackney’s efforts to raise money for the victims of the earthquake. Tamami Haga, who moved to the UK from Japan aged six, and runs a stall in Broadway Market, has been using her successful food blog, www.cococoandme.com, to appeal for donations. “My cousins are in Tokyo and I have lots of friends in Japan. My friend’s mum and brothers are still missing. It’s a really bad time and it’s going to take ages to heal,” she said.
“So far I’ve raised over £1,500. I will also pay £1 every time someone donates. The biggest donation is £200, which is amazing given that I don’t know the people.”
The Oishii restaurant in Church Street, Stoke Newington, is holding a month-long charity event from April and will be donating 10 per cent of its profits to the Red Cross. There will also be a collection at a Japanese interiors exhibition due to open next Tuesday at the Geffrye Museum.
