Busy Worksop baker whips up a whopping 1,000 cupcakes for NHS staff

Semi-retired Allison Palmer, of Nanna P’s Bespoke Catering, told how she took on the large slice of work while unable to look after her five grandchildren during lockdown.

Baking-barmy Allison has so far delivered to various departments at Bassetlaw Hospital, Mansfield’s King’s Mill, Newgate Street GP Surgery, Weston Park Cancer Centre, Royal Hallamshire Hospital and Derbyshire Children’s Hospital - to name a few.

However Allison – whose motto is providing 'a treat in troubled times' – doesn’t just don the apron for healthcare facilities staff.

Sugary supplies have also gone to Worksop’s Register Office - where staff are busy registering births and ‘sadly the deaths in the county’.

Though the grandmother-of-five produces 24 different flavours she says NHS workers’ favourites were Luscious Lemon Drizzle, biscotti and coffee, vanilla creams, chocolate fudge, and jammie dodgers.

Of all the batches she has produced so far Allison said the most emotional for her were those she gave to staff at Bassetlaw’s A&E and intensive care units - where her mother spent the last six months of her life.

Allison, 54, said: “I have five lovely grandchildren and was at a loss as to what to do when lockdown came - they’re normally full-time.

“So I decided to take a couple of boxes of cupcakes to Bassetlaw Hospital A&E and intensive care unit as a thank you for what they’re doing during coronavirus - then it kind of snowballed.

“I’ve had some lovely feedback - which has motivated me to carry on with it.”

Confectionery connoisseur Allison said appreciation from Bassetlaw Hospital’s executive team made her ‘especially proud’.

Allison told how she had avoided raiding supermarket shelves for ingredients thanks to donations left on her doorstep and even money posted through her letterbox.

She sources most of the cakes’ makings via a Sheffield wholesaler - while she leaves fresh batches on her doorstep for collection.

She said: “I don’t really have an exit strategy yet - I’ll keep going as long as people keep nominating colleagues.

“People in the NHS are risking their lives and I just feel a bit helpless.”

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