November 2024
Hello and welcome to November’s newsletter. Hope you have had the best month possible.
Smiles
10 Smiles were sent to both ME sufferers and carers of all ages this month. All chosen and personalised to fit each person’s likes and interests. Some of the items sent this month included a blanket, art supplies, clay craft set, embroidery set, jigsaw, pamper gift sets, candles, socks, fluffy socks, book voucher, pens, keyring, glass, mugs, tea, chocolates and sweets.
Special touch
In our Smiles we include a token item donated by someone affected by ME as a special touch from our community. Included in the Smiles sent this month was a handmade crochet item from Emma. Thank you Emma for your kind donation. 
“Received today. Thank you. I was nominated by my daughter who has ME and I’m a carer for her”
“Thank you so much for my husbands Smile For ME gifts. What wonderful, thoughtful gifts they are. John has been my carer for 31 years. He was over the moon to receive his parcel. Thank you”
“A bit of an emotional one… Kim was given a Smile For ME box for all the hard work and support she has given me since my diagnosis almost 3 years ago. So when it was delivered today, on a day when I can hardly walk up stairs, it meant a lot for both of us”
“Hi my partner received his Everton FC gift box and he was made up. He’s my carer and deserves his little treat. Thank you”
“Hello my daughter would like to say a huge thank you for her smile box! It came at the right time as unfortunately she is in the middle of a CFS crash. The teddy fleece blanket is like a giant hug and, the gifts are so thoughtful and have made her smile so much. Thank you again to everyone involved.”
Share a story
This month’s share a story is a little bit different. Jennie Jacques, Bake4ME creator, shares a piece as she launches The Wicked Christmas Bake Off in support of Smile For ME. Thank you Jennie for your kind support and for sharing about your experience of ME and Bake4ME.
What is Bake4ME?
Bake4ME hosts themed virtual bake-offs online to raise funds and awareness forME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis). This Christmas, 2024, we’re teaming up with you, Smile For ME, for a special collaboration!
Check out our Instagram @bake4me_ (click here) to see former themes! Or X/Twitter. We are @bake4me1 on Facebook. And we recently joined Bluesky. For detailed information visit bake4me.co.uk
What’s the new theme?
“The Wicked Christmas Bake Off!” inspired by Wicked the musical and the new movie. We’re encouraging “pink and green” bakes, but any Christmassy creations are welcome!
Is it true Elphaba from Wicked is on the Bake4ME celebrity judging panel?
Yes, Laura Pick, who plays Elphaba (the green witch) in the UK musical, is joining our celebrity judges!
Any other exciting reveals?
Indeed there are! Sarah O’Connor, who plays Glinda (the pink witch) will be joining too! Both have generously offered autographed Wicked programmes as prizes for the star bakers! How wicked is this?
That’s exciting…
Wait, there’s more. Lauren Kelly Casting has just confirmed Karis Musongole who plays young Elphaba in Wicked the movie and Hattie Ryan who plays Curious Munchkin will be joining the Celebrity Judging Panel too! We hope this encourages lots of young bakers to participate.
Is BAKE4ME just for the ME community to join in, or is it for everybody, including the ME community?
This is 100% for EVERYBODY to join in. I especially want to encourage ‘new’ bakers outside of our wonderful ME community. Initially I chose ‘baking’ with exactly this in mind. I appreciate many people with ME often cannot commit to the luxury of hobbies such as baking. And that’s why I made the concept of the “Collaborative Baker.” It’s my dream to have as many people as possible within and outside of our ME community to help us to continue to be heard.
What are collaboration bakers?
We do our best to pair a ‘Collab Baker’ with someone if they have ME (or any chronic illness/disability) and they request it, to make sure as many people as possible can join in and feel included. The person with ME, for example, shares their cake idea, and the ‘Collab Baker’ creates it as their entry. This is by Lizzy who won star baker for this particular round!
The email bake4me.social@gmail.com
The Bake
Our Collaboration Baker
How do you enter as a regular baker? And how might someone offer their talent as a Collaboration Baker?
It’s simple to enter. Donate via the website, bake and tag your photo online—or email some pictures to us. And if you’d like to become a ‘buddy/collab baker’ please em
Is there an age limit and/or different baking categories?
We welcome bakers of all levels and ages, judging accordingly. We sometimes create titles like Teen StarBaker or Tiny Star Baker and may look to add Home Star Baker and Professional Star Baker. The more participants, the better!
Why did you choose Smile For ME as this year’s Christmas partner?
Smile For ME is one of my favourites. You embody the idea of “the gift that keeps on giving,” sending thoughtful, personalised gifts to carers and people with ME. It’s a beautiful mission, and I couldn’t imagine a better partner for Christmas.
How did Bake4ME start?
During lockdown, my partner had a mini virtual bake-off with friends on WhatsApp, and they loved it. We thought it could work on a bigger scale, and Bake4ME was born!
Do you enjoy baking?
Ironically, no! I’m not great at following instructions and have always been more of a spoon-licker or chocolate-chip eater. I prefer cooking savoury dishes and consider myself a good chef in the dinner department.
And how does your ME affect your cooking?
I’m in my sixth year with ME, which, though fortunately milder now than my first few years, still limits me significantly. Cooking requires rest between tasks, even on good days, so I pace myself, often use pre-chopped ingredients, and find energy-saving hacks. I have a Garmin watch to monitor my heart rate for pacing but will soon switch to Visible, which I’m excited to try out.
What are your cooking hacks to accommodate pacing?
I use frozen pre-chopped garlic, ginger, and vegetables for convenience but chop fresh when I can. More recently I’ve started using a chair in the kitchen. Sitting upright can still be tricky, and I need to ensure I have my legs raised. I also wear my compression socks. I tend to cook things like bacon, sausages or mince in the oven, stirring and checking as needed, rather than standing over a pan. However, brain fog has caused me to forget food in the oven, which can be dangerous. My partner helps remind me, and setting phone alarms is beneficial. This can allow me to go back to bed or the sofa. I try hard to prioritise staying within my energy envelope to avoid PEM (post exertional malaise) as best I can.
What’s your favourite meal and dessert?
I’m a big foodie, so picking a favourite meal is tough! Comfort food for me is macaroni cheese, and I love a good Sunday Roast. Indian cuisine is a favourite too. For dessert, I enjoy cheese and biscuits. Sweet? I’d opt for anything with very dark chocolate, peanut butter and/or salted caramel. Warm desserts with cold ice cream are a big yes. A Chunky Chocolate Bake Off sounds like a good idea for 2025!
Jennie Jacques
Website: www.jenniejacques.com
YouTube: The Monster In ME
Instagram: @JennieJacques1
Twitter/X: @JennieJacques1
Bsky: @jenniejacques1.bsky.social
Facebook: Jennie Jacques
Fundraising
Bake4ME
As Jennie Jacques mentioned the latest Bake4ME theme is Wicked Christmas in support of Smile For ME. We’d love for you to join in and support. 
Step 1: Donate
www.gofundme.com/f/bake-4-me-cfs-smile-for-me
Step 2: Bake
All levels and ages of baking and bakers are welcome and encouraged. You also don’t have to be an ME sufferer or carer to get involved. If you do have ME and you have an idea but are not well enough to bake collaborative bakers are available. Contact bake4me.social@gmail.com to be partnered with someone who will bake on your behalf. You can also enter a photo of a previous bake, perhaps from a ‘better day’ or before ME.
Step 3: Tag/email/connect
Share your entry with Bake4ME.
Instagram: @bake4me_
Twitter/X: @bake4me_
Bsky: @bake4me.bsky.social
Facebook: @bake4me1
Email: bake4me.social@gmail.com
Enter by 31/12/2024
Find out more: bake4me.co.uk
Sing For ME
This month was Bex’s charity concert and raffle. A big thank you and congratulations to Bex for your wonderful Sing For ME fundraiser which raised an amazing £450, with £150 for Smile For ME. Thank you to everyone involved, you are all so talented in your performances and so kind to help make a difference. 
Support us
Do you online shop? Why not support us at the same time through Easy Fundraising. Sign up with the link and when you shop we receive a donation at no extra cost to you.
Thank you to those who already support us through Easy Fundraising. All the little amounts raised whilst you are shopping add up and so far an amazing £1,520.82 has been donated to us. 
Support Smile For ME through Easy Fundraising:
For a mobile/tablet device
1. Download Easy Fundraising app on your device and open it
2. Click ‘Create Account’
3. Search for ‘Smile For ME’ and click ‘Support This Cause’
4. Follow the on-screen instructions creating an account to complete the sign up process
5. Search for retailers through the app, shop online and we will receive a donation when you spend
For desktop
1. Go to Smile For ME’s Easy Fundraising page easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/smileforme
2. Click ‘support this cause’
3. Create an account with Facebook or Email and enter your details
4. Click ‘add the donation reminder’ to add the extension to your browser
5. Shop online as normal. Donations are available through over 7,500 online brands and retailers. When you are on the website of your choosing if it is an eligible shop you will see a notification in the top right hand corner saying ‘*name of shop* wants to donate to your cause, up to __%’ Click ‘Click to get donation’ and we will receive a donation when you spend
Smile of the month
What’s made you smile this month? Each month we ask this question on social media and we love hearing the responses. We hope by sharing some of your smiles it can help others to find a smile too. 
Thank you’s
Thank you to everyone who has supported us this month. We are so grateful for the kindness and generosity you show us. It means such a lot because it enables us to continue sending Smiles to those affected by ME.