A SWEET initiative is being encouraged to show appreciation for key workers on Valentine's Day with cupcakes.

Mum Rebecca Clements wants people to use small bakeries and cake makers to gift make treats for staff at care homes, the Great Western Hospital, emergency services and school as a way of thanking them for their efforts over the past year.

She explained: “Since the start of the pandemic, so many key workers here in the town have gone above and beyond, working extremely hard in very difficult circumstances to keep us all safe, and often making personal sacrifices.

“It has badly affected so many local businesses here in the town with cancelled orders and lost income, so I thought that it would be a nice idea to show our thanks and appreciation for all of our local heroes and also support our small local businesses at the same time by ordering from them."

The mum to six put a post on the Swindon Community Facebook page to see how many people would also be interested in getting involved and was encouraged by the response.

“Coming from Swindon I know that people are really, really generous and there’s a really good sense of community spirit which is one of the reasons I love it here,” she said.

“I think we all know somebody personally who’s kept going to work through the pandemic and this is just a nice way of showing we appreciate what they’ve done.”

As well as praising her son’s teachers, she highlighted shop workers who have had to continue being polite to customers despite the difficulties the pandemic has thrown up.

She knew of one case where a young man in an Old Town store had suffered abuse from two customers.

“I just think we’re in the middle of a pandemic, and these staff aren’t able to stay in and work from home like most of us.

“I just want everybody who is working really, really hard and has been working really, really hard since the pandemic began to realise that even though there are a minority of people out there who are going to give them stick, most people do appreciate what they’re doing regardless of what role they are playing, ever role is really crucial,” Rebecca said.

A number of local businesses have volunteered to get involved in the campaign, offering reduced prices or special offers for those buying cakes for key workers. They include Bakes by Lily, Glamour Rose Cakes, Babs Bakery and Chocco Lab. Rebecca added: “On Valentines Day, lets show love and share the love, with anyone and everyone we want to say ‘thank you’ to.”

Bakes by Lily

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lily.lowe.7315

Instagram: Lilysbakes.x

Glamour Rose Cakes

Website: http://www.glamorosecakes.co.uk/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/glamorosecakes

Phone: 07716 836552

Email: orders@glamorosecakes.co.uk

Babs Bakery

Website: https://www.facebook.com/BabsBakesBakery/

Phone: 07805 064218

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BabsBakesBakery/

Email: babs.bakes.sales@gmail.com

Cakes by Charlotte

Email: cakesbycharlotte98@gmail.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/charlotte.weisinger

Zozo’s bakes

Phone: Zoe Thompson on 07306 018366

Email: zoelou000@outlook.com

Glorious Cups

Facebook: www.gloriouscups.co.uk Fb.com/GloriousCups

Phone: 07934 003960

Email: hello@gloriouscups.co.uk

Cake and Jam Designs

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cakeandjam-designs-1899664473639589

Phone: Andi Silcox 07950 636368

Email: infocakeandjam@gmail.com

Fays Fairy Cakes

Website: www.faysfairycakes.co.uk

Email fay@faysfairycakes.co.uk

Chocco Lab Swindon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chocco-Lab-Swindon-100837565185406

Phone: 07305935708

Susie’s Kitchen

Instagram: susie.skitchen

Phone: 07876 567770

Email: susie5050@hotmail.co.uk

Goody’s Bakery

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goodysbakery

Instagram: @goodysbakeryuk

Phone: 07817 265498

Charli’s Cakes

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charliscake/

Email: charliscakes@outlook.com

“On Valentines Day, lets show love and share the love, with anyone and everyone we want to say 'thank you' to,” said Rebecca.