Taking the biscuit! Almost half of people in North West England have dunked in someone else's cuppa
Photography by Julie Lomax...

A survey by School feeding charity Mary's Meals has revealed that almost 50% of people in North West England have dunked a biscuit in someone else's cuppa. Giuseppe Dell'Anno and Lizzie Acker, stars of Great British Bake Off, have spoken out on the controversial poll; with 2021 winner Giuseppe saying:- "I would never dunk my biscuit in someone else's cuppa; and I won't be held responsible for my actions if anyone dares dunk their biscuit in mine!"

The survey of 2,000 people across the UK, held to launch the charity's Raise Some Dough campaign, also revealed that in North West England:-

►   45% of respondents have dunked their biscuit in someone else's cuppa.

►   21% of respondents said they never dunk biscuits, with a further 2% saying they don't eat biscuits.

►   Shortbread, digestives and chocolate digestives are the North West's favourite biscuits to dunk (19%), while the party ring and empire biscuit are the least popular biscuits for dunking (3%).

►   A 5th of people (20%) eat biscuits in bed.

►   9% eat biscuits in the bath.

Giuseppe says:- "The traditional Italian breakfast is caffè latte and biscuits, rigorously dunked. So, I love to dunk! But, while I love to share the experience of eating together, I don't like sharing food; so I would NEVER dunk my biscuit in someone else's cuppa!"

Liverpool's very own Lizzie; who reached the quarter finals of Great British Bake Off in 2021; takes a different view:- "I'm not a dunker, I love the crunch of a freshly baked biscuit. A soggy biscuit is as bad as a soggy bottom, in my opinion!"

This winter, Mary's Meals is asking people across the UK to take part in its new baking fundraiser, Raise Some Dough.

The charity serves nutritious School meals in 20 of the world's poorest countries, many of which are impacted by conflict and natural disasters. The promise of food attracts hungry children into the classroom where they can gain an education and hope for the future.

It costs just £15.90 to feed a child with Mary's Meals every School day for a year.

Dan McNally, head of grassroots engagement at Mary's Meals, says:- "Whether you dunk in your own cuppa, dunk in someone else's, or don't dunk at all, everyone can enjoy a biscuit while 'raising some dough' to raise vital funds for Mary's Meals. We're so grateful to Giuseppe and Lizzie for their support; and we hope they inspire people across the UK to get baking!"

Giuseppe adds:- "Mary's Meals is a wonderful charity that serves nutritious School meals in some of the world's poorest, and often most difficult, locations. Whether you're a brilliant baker or a budding baker, please do what you can to support its important work. Your kindness will transform lives!"

Giuseppe and Lizzie are just 2 of the famous faces supporting Mary's Meals. Strictly Come Dancing star Ellie Taylor, and actors Joanna Lumley and Tamzin Outhwaite have all shared their favourite biscuit recipes in the charity's free fundraising pack; which includes a mug-shaped cookie cutter. It is available online from:- MarysMeals.Org.UK.

Donations made to Mary's Meals until 31 January 2023 will be doubled by a generous group of supporters, up to £1.5 million, with the charity's Double The Love campaign.

Wirral woman named in Cycling UK's 100 Women in Cycling 2022

THE charity launches its annual 100 Women in Cycling 2022, a list now in its 6th year celebrating inspirational women who empower others to get in the saddle

A Wirral woman has been named in Cycling UK's 100 Women in Cycling 2022, its sixth annual list celebrating inspirational women in cycling, launched today, Thursday 24 November. Hollie Burnett from Upton was included to recognise her work encouraging other women to get on their bikes and improve equality and diversity in cycling.

The women are recognised for significant achievements promoting women's cycling. The list celebrates their outstanding work, whether that's sporting or industry accolades, spreading the word as an influencer, or grassroots campaigning and support in the community.

The list this year includes household names from sport such as Tour de France Femmes winner and Road World Champion Annemiek van Vleuten, para-cyclist pair Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holl, 10-year old BMX champ Amelie Eaton, and also shines a spotlight on other inspirational figures like climate activist Jessie Stevens, who was just 17 when she cycled from Dartmoor to Glasgow for COP26.

Cycling UK is drawing attention to the unsung heroes making a difference in their communities. The 2022 list has a strong focus on community champions:- ride leaders, club matriarchs, founders of cycling groups that promote diversity and inclusively by enabling underrepresented communities, children, the elderly or disabled to use pedal power.

The category also includes many who work tirelessly to improve access to cycling through recycling projects, teaching skills such as cycle mechanics, or campaigning for better active travel infrastructure in their area.

Hollie Burnett, 40, only learned to ride a bike in 2020, having never learnt as a child; she wanted to be able to teach her young daughter to ride. She has gone on to train as a bike mechanic and ride leader. This year she set up Energise Cycles. This community cycle group provides affordable cycle servicing and repairs, bike maintenance workshops, and community rides. She also supports Dr Bike sessions across Wirral and surrounding areas. She says:- "We provide a cycle club that focuses on community inclusion and empowering people to use their bikes for transport or enrichment (and we always promise cake)."

Sarah Mitchell, Cycling UK's chief executive, said:- "At a time when people in the UK are turning to cycling in numbers not seen since the 60s, it's more important than ever to celebrate those who empower others, whether people want to cycle because it's an affordable, sustainable and healthy transport option, or because it's simply fun. Representation makes a huge difference, and improving the visibility of women's cycling means more women are likely to feel it is also for them. This is what makes the work our 100 Women in Cycling do so important; whether it's winning races, supporting their community, or telling stories about the adventures and challenges faced by other inspiring women."

Cycling Minister Jesse Norman, at the Department for Transport, said:- "It's fantastic to see so many inspirational women encouraging others to cycle. Some are cycling because it's so healthy, some because it's quick and easy, some to protect the environment. Whatever the reason, they should be extremely proud of what they have achieved. These women are leading the way in their communities, and we will continue to support them, having invested over £600m since the start of the Pandemic in better infrastructure including Cycling UK's Big Bike Revival."

To view the full 100 Women in Cycling list, visit:- CyclingUK.Org. For more info about the list, go to:- CyclingUK.Org.