A BAKERY has recruited the help of those close to them to raise money in memory of a friend’s mum this Mother’s Day.

Finch’s Bakery in Great Harwood, run by identical twin sisters Rachel and Lauren Finch, will be donating the proceeds of all cakes sold today to East Lancashire Hospice.

The cause has been inspired by close friend Claire Walker, whose mum Judith was cared for by the hospice before she died from melanoma earlier this month.

Miss Walker has been helping at the bakery to make extra cakes for the weekend, alongside nine other friends.

Lauren, 25, said: “It’s just something that’s nice to do and it’s helped Claire take her mind off everything, it’s a welcome distraction for her.

“We just wanted to do something nice for her and her family.

“We get so busy at the weekend as it is. We have people queuing on the streets and we just thought this was the perfect opportunity.

“Almost everybody has been affected by cancer and the hospice at some point in their life.

“It’s just as much about the help we have got from out friends, we wouldn’t be able to make anywhere near as much as we will without their help.”

The sisters, who attended Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, have set a £1,000 fundraising target for the day in memory of Judith.

The mother-of-two from Blackburn died on Monday, March 6, at the hospice surrounded by her husband Charles and children Jonathan and Claire after a 12 month battle with melanoma cancer

The girls have been working with volunteers into the early hours of the morning to make sure they have plenty of baked goods available today including cupcakes, cake jars, and larger multi-tiered items.

Rachel said: “This will be the first Mother’s Day for Claire without her mum and we wanted to do something in her memory.

“A large per cent of us have had some sort of experience with the hospice and can see the amazing work that all the nurses and the rest of the staff and volunteers do.

“We are asking everyone to bring their pennies along for the cupcakes and jars we’ll be selling in memory of Judith Walker and all the other lovely ladies, and men, that aren’t here to spend Mother’s Day with their loved ones this year.”

The bakery will be open from 11am until 3pm today."