Mince Pies for Marfan

We’re launching what we’re hoping will become a fun and very yummy annual fundraising initiative that everyone can take part in: Mince Pies for Marfan. We want people all over the country to host their own Tea Parties for friends, family or colleagues during the festive season, serving mince pies and as many other delicious baked goods, festive or otherwise, as they can shake a stick at, with donations on the day made to the Marfan Trust. The idea is to raise as much money as possible for research into Marfan syndrome, the aim being to improve the diagnosis and treatment of Marfan syndrome patients, to raise awareness of the condition and to provide support and medical guidance to those affected and their families. Sounds like a vaguely familiar idea from somewhere else?....well maybe, but never before with mince pies!

To Get Involved
Simply decide to host a tea party at home, at work or if you belong to a club or a choir, at a club or choir event, then: 

• Decide on a time, date and venue
• Invite family, friends, colleagues, club members etc. to come for a catch up and a chat over mince pies, festive fancies, cakes and a cuppa
• Make it clear that it’s in aid of the Marfan Trust in your invite
• Get baking or buying
• Encourage guests to bring additional mince pies, cakes etc. to reduce time spent slaving away at a hot oven
• Ask guests to make a donation for attending the tea party 

To Make it Even More Fun and to Make Even More Money

You could dress up in festive costume and encourage your guests to do the same. e.g. wear festive jumpers or hats. If at work, you could also dress down if you usually dress up and charge everyone say £3 (on top of the attendance donation) for the honour, but if they come in festive gear, then only £2; or 

Play silly games and charge everyone to participate in each game e.g. parlour games such as Who am I? (using post-it notes), Charades and Consequences (using only names of people in the group and/or famous people everyone will know).

To Pay in Raised Funds
Pay in the money you’ve raised online by clicking here or via Just Giving, Virgin Money Giving, PayPal or BACs or by cheque. Click here for details. If possible, please reference your donation with your name and the letters MPM e.g. R Smith MPM

USEFUL HINTS AND TIPS
Invites – invite people by email and social media detailing the Event Name, the date/time, venue, dressing up info, making it clear that it’s in aid of the Marfan Trust. Ask people to RSVP so you know how many to cater for.

Mince Pie Recipes - Try this simple mince pie recipe from Bake Off King, Paul Hollywood. To make it even easier, cheat and use frozen shortcrust pastry.

Marfan Trust T-Shirts - Request your FREE Marfan Trust T-Shirts by emailing [email protected], stating the sizes you require (S,M,L).

Spread the Word - Facebook, tweet and Instagram your party before during and after using #marfantrust #marfansyndrome and #mincepiesformarfan so more people become aware of Marfan syndrome and the important research carried out by the Marfan Trust. Also send your party pictures and stories to [email protected] so we can feature them in our newsletter.

GIFT AID
If you and your guests are UK taxpayers*, under the Government’s Gift Aid scheme the Marfan Trust can reclaim the tax you/they have already paid on your/their gift. This means that your/their donation can increase in value by nearly a third at no extra cost to you/your guests. Please download and print this Gift Aid Sponsor Form before your event and ask your guests to complete a line each on the form and tick the box in the column entitled "Please claim Gift Aid on my donation" so the Marfan Trust can reclaim the tax on your/their gift. Please return this form to [email protected].

*Gift Aid allows charities to claim back tax paid on donations made by UK taxpayers. Currently charities receive an additional 25p for every £1 paid by taxpayers, making your donation go even further!

For More Info: 
E: [email protected]