Keswick teenager Olivia Marsden is promising a heartfelt treat for Valentine’s Day with a home-made afternoon tea to help her raise sponsorship money towards an expedition to South America later this year.
Olivia, aged 15, is making the teas, which include a selection of sandwiches, quiche, sausage rolls, scone and jam, two cupcakes, a slice of load cake and biscuits for £10 a person.
They can be delivered locally to the door of any local romantics on Sunday, which is Valentine’s Day.
The Valentine’s Day afternoon team delivery is is the latest fund-raising idea by Olivia, who has been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join Camps International on a four- week expedition to Peru this summer, but needs to raise £4,700 before May to ensure her place.
Camps International offers ethical and sustainable school expeditions which provide an opportunity for students to live alongside local rural communities, broadening their perspective on the world and increasing their understanding of the day-to-day challenges these communities face, such as access to clean water, education and housing.
Olivia, a pupil at Keswick School, admits she is nervous but excited to take on the challenge.
She said: “Following bullying at school, I suffer from anxiety issues, made worse by the death of my grandad Sam last year. He had lived with us for as long as I can remember.
“We would sing and dance together, bake and look after the garden. For the last five years he suffered from dementia and I helped to look after him.”
The pandemic has made it more difficult for Olivia to continue with fundraising as many planned events were cancelled.
But as she loves to bake, during the first lockdown she would deliver her cakes and goodies to neighbours.
Her mum Christine had suggested she should make afternoon teas for friends and family for VE Day’s 75th anniversary last year.
The plans took off and Olivia sold 50 afternoon teas, with many of her satisfied customers asking for them again for Fathers’ Day.
Now the Valentine afternoon teas have become her latest venture.
Olivia will be volunteering in three different communities in Peru, helping in education, healthcare and sanitation, as well as environmental protection.
She will also be undertaking an adventure challenge trek by walking the Salkantay Trail to the sacred ancient ruins of Machu Picchu through the Andes mountains.
Olivia added: “I feel so privileged to be given this opportunity to travel to Peru and I am looking forward to making a difference to people’s lives.”
Fundraising that she has already carried out includes a dance workshop which was hosted by West End performer Aaron Ashley Parker, along with a raffle, tuck shops, sweetie bags and cake sales.
She has also offered sponsorship for local companies whose names will be displayed on sweatshirts and T-shirts she wears when in Peru.
Olivia is still hoping for more company sponsorship and anyone who would like to help can contact 07971412802.
Olivia has also been collecting toiletries and sanitary products for teenage girls to take with her along with some toys and stationary for the children. If anyone would like to donate any suitable items this would be greatly appreciated.
To order a special Valentine’s day afternoon tea, call Olivia on 07971412802.
