Top chefs including Gino D’Acampo and Glynn Purnell have donated delicious biscuit recipes to support a national fundraising event in aid of poorly pets. They have pledged their support for PDSA’s ‘Big Biscuit Break’, taking place on 30 October, with people encouraged to gather for a ‘cuppa and a biscuit’ to raise thousands to help the UK’s leading veterinary charity treat even more sick and injured pets. 

Animal lovers are being urged to take part in the UK-wide event, gathering friends, family and colleagues together to have a biscuit break to raise funds for the pet charity. All proceeds from the Big Biscuit Break will support PDSA’s vital care for poorly pets. Demand for the charity’s services has rocketed by 50 per cent in the last few years as more pets and their owners have turned to PDSA for help.

PDSA Fundraising Manager, Brenda Smith, said: “In the time it takes to hold a 30 minute biscuit break PDSA hospitals across the country can see in the region of 500 pets, many in need of life-saving treatment. We know the UK is a nation of animal lovers, so we’re calling on everyone to show their support; people gather for a cuppa and a biscuit every day, so why not help PDSA at the same time? It’s really easy, just invite some friends over, bake or buy some biscuits and ask everyone who attends to make a donation.”

Glynn Purnell, who owns Michelin starred Purnell’s restaurant in Birmingham, has donated a new Lemon Shortbread* recipe, while TV chef Gino D’Acampo, who is currently appearing in Gino’s Italian Escape on ITV, has donated his recipe for Biscotti Semplici al Chioccolato** (simple chocolate macaroons).

Gino D’Acampo said: “This is a very satisfying way to help pets in need – making and then enjoying some delicious biscuits! My cats are a huge part of my life and I couldn’t bear to see them suffer, so I would urge all animal lovers to get together and hold a Big Biscuit Break for PDSA, who treat thousands of sick and injured pets every day.”

Glynn Purnell, who has appeared on numerous TV shows including the Great British Menu series, said: “PDSA does wonderful work treating sick and injured pets – their pet hospitals are a lifeline to pets and their owners. I’ve donated a delicious shortbread recipe to encourage people to hold their own Big Biscuit Break to help raise money for this vital service.” 

Other chefs who have donated recipes include Great British Bake Off 2012 finalist James Morton, vegetarian cookery writer Rose Elliot and Great British Bake Off 2010 finalist Miranda Gore Browne. All the recipes, along with further information on how to hold a Big Biscuit Break event, can be found on the charity’s website www.pdsa.org.uk/bigbiscuitbreak or by calling 0800 508 8323.

Case studies – how money raised helps pets

PDSA helps pets like black-and-white kitten Charlie, from Derby, who was hit by a seven-tonne bus and was left with life-threatening injuries. His diaphragm had ruptured leaving his abdominal organs in his chest cavity, his spleen was so badly damaged it had to be removed, and both his back legs were badly broken. He underwent three major operations , but after several days of intensive care the plucky puss was finally out of danger, and he went on to make a full recovery.

Another of PDSA’s patients is Devo, from Cardiff, who suffers from epilepsy and requires daily medication to keep his condition under control. Devo recently alerted his owner, Anna Roodhouse, to a house fire, giving her time to escape the blaze which completely gutted her home. Anna said “Devo needs constant veterinary care and I depend on PDSA for help, without them I couldn’t have kept Devo. They have kept him alive, and now he’s saved me; it’s amazing! I hope pet lovers everywhere will hold a Big Biscuit Break Event to raise money for PDSA – the work they do for pets in communities right across the UK is just incredible." 

Charlie and Devo are just two of the 400,000 pets in need that PDSA treats every year. With 51 pet hospitals working flat-out across the UK, the charity needs to raise around £59 million to run its vital service. This is all funded through generous public support as the charity receives no government or lottery funding.

Pictured above: Devo and Anna outside their former home with PDSA Vet Nurse Karen Jones.

* Lemon Shortbread recipe kindly donated by Glynn Purnell from his first cook book, which is out in spring 2014, published by Kyle Books.

** Biscotti Semplici al Chioccolato recipe kindly donated by Gino D’Acampo from his book Italian Home Baking, published by Kyle Books, £18.99.