LONDONERS are being urged to bite back at cancer by putting Sunday brunch on the menu this autumn.
Stand Up To Cancer is again teaming up with Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch and an array of famous faces, including Tim Lovejoy and Michel Roux Jr, to encourage everyone to cook up some cash to accelerate life-saving research.
In London, more than 34,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year.*
Sunday Brunch co-host Tim said: “I didn’t think cancer was something that would affect my life or my family; I just didn’t really think about it much at all. Then my brother, James, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died shortly after at the age of 37. It was such a shock.
“But one in two people in the UK will be affected by cancer in their lifetime. So really, it touches all of us in some way. That’s why I’d love everyone to hold a special Brunch-Raiser with friends and family and raise money for life-saving research to help beat this horrible disease.
“There’s a whole load of delicious recipe ideas, including one of mine, in the fundraising pack which you can download from the Stand Up To Cancer website. It’s full of hints and tips to boost your fundraising as well as print-from-home extras to help you put on a fantastic event.”
As well as Tim Lovejoy from Northwood and Michel Roux Jr, who owns La Gavroche, fellow Londoners food writer Ravinder Bhogal who owns Jikoni in Marylebone and Nieves Barragan Mohacho of Mayfair’s Sabor are also supporting the initiative.
Foodies and fundraisers alike are being asked to create a restaurant-style experience at home by hosting a ‘Sunday Brunch-Raiser’ for friends and family – and donating the bill to help save more lives.
A free online fundraising kit has everything needed to turn their home into an exclusive brunch spot, using their own favourites, or taking inspiration from top-notch recipes donated by celebrity chefs.
From Michel Roux Jr’s herb and celery soda bread there’s something to suit everyone’s taste buds.
Ravinder Bhogal offers Kimchi Royal potatoes and Nieves Barragán Mohacho serves up a tasty tortilla.
Other celebrity chefs and food-lovers who have donated recipes include Sunday Brunch co-presenter Simon Rimmer; The Hairy Bikers; Jamie Oliver and chef and cookery school owner Rosemary Shrager.
Nieves Barragán Mohacho said: “I’m so pleased to support Stand Up To Cancer and call on people to sign up and host a Sunday brunch with friends and family. Let’s raise as much money as we can for research to help beat cancer. You can find out more and download the fundraising pack full of tips and recipes including my tortilla on the Stand Up To Cancer website.
“Classic Spanish tortillas are great for brunch – hot from the pan, runny in the middle and served with a large dollop of aioli. I was taught to make them by my mother from a young age; feel free to add in chorizo or prawns if you like, they’re very versatile. The tortilla is still one of the most popular dishes at my restaurant, Sabor.”
Stand Up To Cancer, the joint national fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4, aims to speed up progress in the fight against the disease.
Lynn Daly, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for London, said: “One in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime,** but all of us can support the research that will beat it. That’s why we need people to help us turn up the heat on cancer.
“Thanks to the extra time spent at home during the pandemic, many of us now know our way around the kitchen much better than before. So why not put these new-found culinary skills to use while inspiring guests to dish up the dosh for a great cause.
“By hosting a Sunday brunch for Stand Up To Cancer you’ll be rewarded with more than just clean plates. Every penny raised will fund research that will get new tests and treatments to people who need them most.”
For added inspiration, from 26 September, the Channel 4 staple Sunday Brunch will be showcasing some of the delicious Stand Up To Cancer recipes. Fans of the show will also be able to get their hands on some limited edition Stand Up To Cancer Sunday Brunch merchandise, including mugs, coasters and a tea bag tidy. All are available to pre-order from the Stand Up To Cancer website.
Sunday Brunch co-host and chef, Simon Rimmer, said: “Stand Up To Cancer is such an important cause, funding research to help people with cancer. People like my dad. I remember vividly the moment that I was told he had cancer. I was only nine years old, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. He’s the strongest man I know and thankfully he’s still here with us today.
“I’m so excited that Sunday Brunch for Stand Up To Cancer is back for the second year running. That’s why I’m asking people to join me in Standing Up To Cancer this October by hosting your very own Sunday brunch. Get your friends and family round for some good food and a long-overdue catch up and raise money for life-saving research to help beat cancer.”
The Stand Up To Cancer campaign will continue throughout September and October and culminate in an awe-inspiring night of TV on Channel 4.
Get a free fundraising and recipe kit at su2c.org.uk/brunch
