Jeremy Balfour, Scottish Conservative MSP for Lothian joined 150 people at a special event celebrating terminal illness charity Marie Curie’s 70th anniversary and the start of their latest fundraising venture last Wednesday at Holyrood Park, Edinburgh.
MSPs, volunteers and supporters kicking off the Blooming Great Tea Party summer campaign with a baking competition with categories for best cake from an MSP, volunteer or
Marie Curie supporter. Whilst Jeremy didn’t win the coveted MSP crown, he congratulated volunteer winner MargaretIrvine from Inverness for her Viennese biscuit and supporter winner GemmaWalton from Edinburgh for her carrot cake.
The event was judged by Ruth Davidson MSP who earlier this year won the third episode of the celebrity edition of Great British Bake Off, Marie Curie patron Lady Claire Macdonald OBE, a renowned cook and author and Master Craftsman Baker Sean McVey, founder of Breadwinner Bakery.
Blooming Great Tea Party is Marie Curie’s summer fundraising campaign which asks people to get together with friends, colleagues and family to throw a Blooming Great tea party, bake sale or ‘Bake off’ style competition and ask for donations in return.
Susan Lowes Marie Curie Policy & Public Affairs Manager said: “I thank Jeremy forhis support of our campaign. We hope people will be encouraged to get baking themselves and organise their own Blooming Great Tea Party. Every donation helps Marie Curie provide care and support to people living with terminal illness.”
Jeremy said :“I was delighted to take part in this Marie Curie baking competition which heralds the start of their summer Blooming Great Tea Party fundraising drive. I urge local community groups and individuals to host a tea party or bake sale. My baking may not have won the MSP prize, but every effort counts towards raising valuable funds for Marie Curie and their care of people with terminal illness.Last year saw 600 tea parties held in Scotland helping raise over £86,000 to help care for people and their families affected by a terminal illness diagnosis – lets help make this year’s campaign bigger and better than before!”
Free Marie CurieSupport and Information is available for anyone with questions about terminal illness. Contact 0800 090 2309 or visit mariecurie.org.uk/support
Jeremy Balfour was elected as a Member of the Scottish Parliament in May 2016. He is a member of the Scottish Parliament Social Security Committee and is the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Spokesperson for Social Security.
Born and bred in Edinburgh, Jeremy was educated at the Edinburgh Academy and went on to study Law at Edinburgh University and Theology at the London School of Theology.
Before becoming an MSP Jeremy worked in the legal profession and latterly as a Tribunal Member for DLA/PIP Tribunals and a number of faith-based roles including ministry work and the Scottish Churches Housing Action.
A lifelong Conservative, Jeremy was elected as an Edinburgh City Councillor in 2005, representing Corstorphine/Murrayfield Ward. He stood down as a councillor in May 2017.
He is married to Jude with twin girls. In his spare time he enjoys travelling, watching sport and reading.
