Every week a small army of volunteers don their aprons, grab their flour and bake to create cakes for children in need.

Free Cakes for Kids is a nation-wide community group which has been joined by stay-at-home carer Iona Wilson from Brookside, Great Paxton and a team of baking enthusiasts.

Iona set up the branch in 2013 after realising that there wasn’t a team in Huntingdonshire.

She said: “I really liked the idea after seeing what other groups have done and there wasn’t a group near here so I decided to set one up.”

Since then 16 bakers have been creating cakes and other edible treats for youngsters who, through circumstances beyond their control, can’t afford to have a cake on their birthdays or special occasions.

“For some of the children it is the first time that they have ever had a cake just for them with their name on, we deliver them mostly to the parents and you see tears weal up in their eyes because they are just so thankful.

“My kids always had birthday cakes when they were growing up and even now so I know how important it is for children to blow out candles on their birthdays.”

All the cakes are specifically designed around the interests and taste buds of the children, be it Disney, football or dogs.

The call for these cakes has grown beyond Iona’s expectations and her army now cover Huntingdonshire, Peterborough and Bedford.

“I was surprised how busy we got – we had a lot requests from Peterborough and Bedford so we decided to expand and now cover a huge area,” added Iona.

However, to make sure that every child that deserves to have a cake does Iona needs more volunteers to help.

“We mostly have bakers in the St Neots and Huntingdon area so we more bakers in Ramsey and St Ives to get involved.”

To recognise those that need the cakes the most the group would like to work with more local community organisations, such as the local food bank, children’s groups and family advice services.

In order to raise-awareness of the group and funds for running costs Iona has organised Cake and Bake Competition and family fun day on October 10 at the Eaton Socon Ex’Service Club.

To find out more about the event and how to get involved with Free Cakes for Kids go to www.freecakesforkidsstneotsandhuntingdon.co.uk