STIRLING'S Laser Cutting Services Ltd have pledged their support to The Sick Children’s Trust to help raise money for families with seriously ill children in hospital.

The company have donated 500 bespoke cupcake stencils to encourage baking gurus to get creative and take part in the charity’s biggest annual fundraiser, Big Chocolate Tea from April 21 to May 1.

The Sick Children’s Trust runs free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation across the country, supporting thousands of families with seriously ill children in hospital every year.

Although the accommodation is free for families, it costs the charity £30 to support a family for one night.

Big Chocolate Tea is the charity’s biggest annual fundraising aimed at cake and chocolate lovers.

People can take part by holding cake sale, tea party or bake-off during the last week of April and donating the proceeds to The Sick Children’s Trust.

Last year, Big Chocolate Tea raised £60,000 – enough to support 2,000 families with ‘Home from Home’ accommodation - and The Sick Children’s Trust is hoping it will be an even bigger success this year.

Supporters can choose to take part in Big Chocolate Tea at any point during the year, and they will receive a pack full of goodies which includes Laser Cutting Services’ Big Chocolate Tea cupcake stencil.

Christine Thomson, business pollinator, said: "The Sick Children’s Trust’s Big Chocolate Tea fundraising campaign is something we felt we had to get involved with.

"It’s such a worthy cause and is a good way to meet like-minded people who want to support those that need it. We hope our support will encourage more people to visit The Sick Children’s Trust website and join in the chocola-tea fun."

If participants raise at least £30 during Big Chocolate Tea, they will be able to support a family with ‘Home from Home’ accommodation for one night.

The Sick Children’s Trust chief executive, Jane Featherstone, said: "We really appreciate the support we’ve received from Laser Cutting Services – and we absolutely love the Big Chocolate Tea stencil, and know our supporters will too. It’s perfect for dusting icing sugar or cocoa powder onto cakes, adding the finishing touch to your bakes and turning them into showstoppers.

"Last year because of everyone’s fantastic support we were able to give 2,000 families a ‘Home from Home’ when their child was seriously ill in hospital. And we’re hoping that this year we can help even more families with the support of the public."

For more information on Big Chocolate Tea, please visit: http://www.sickchildrenstrust.org/bigchoctea