SERENA HERR
The RSPCA’s Cupcake Day is on again this October, encouraging supporters to participate by either hosting a baking party or donating, to raise funds to fight animal cruelty.
Cupcake Day is the RSPCA’s annual national fundraiser where supporters are encouraged to bake for their friends, co-workers, or schoolmates to raise money for the thousands of animals in the organisation’s care.
The official date for Cupcake Day is Monday October 26, but participants are encouraged to hold their own Cupcake Day event on any day this month.
RSPCA Queensland spokesperson Emma Lagoon said anyone could jump online to sign up to host their own Cupcake Day event.
“We have fundraising tips and recipes to help you along the way,” Ms Lagoon said.
“You can even bake pupcakes to spoil your companion or sell to friends and family for their fur-kids,” she said.
But don’t worry if you’re more “disaster chef” than “MasterChef”, you can still get involved in the event.
“If you’re not a baker, it doesn’t matter – you can still set up your online fundraising page and ask your friends and family to donate to the cause,” Ms Lagoon said.
The RSPCA relies almost entirely on donations to enable them to do what they do, including rescuing animals, investigating animal cruelty, treating and rehoming animals, and running shelters and veterinary hospitals.
Ms Lagoon said every year more than 50,000 animals relied on the RSPCA in Queensland, yet the organisation received less than four per cent of their funding from the government.
“This means that community fundraising events like Cupcake Day are vital to ensure we can continue to keep our doors open to animals in need,” she said.
Ms Lagoon said the event was normally held in August but had been moved to October this year due to COVID-19.
“There are certainly safe ways to host a Cupcake Day socially distanced and in line with government restrictions,” she said.
Ms Lagoon said hosts could choose to hold their Cupcake Day online and get creative about how their event could look.
“Will it be a virtual bake-off [or] a knock, drop and dash in exchange for a donation, [taking] baking orders from your friends, family or work colleagues and delivering them straight to their doorstep?” she said.
“You could even host an online baking quiz – MasterChef trivia anyone?”
Ms Lagoon said the RSPCA appreciated any help people were able to give in this difficult year.
“We know times are tough for everyone, but if anyone can raise a little dough, all funds raised will go straight into animal care, as the support we offer to pets and wildlife in need never stops,” she said.
Twenty-two-year-old Brianna Lockhart is looking forward to supporting the cause and has volunteered to be a Cupcake Day host for the first time this year.
“I was inspired to host one myself because I have so much compassion for animals in need,” Ms Lockhart said.
“I know how to bake, so why not host an event that spreads awareness in our community while also raising some much-needed funds for the RSPCA?”
Ms Lockhart said she hoped to spread as much awareness as possible, while making it a fun experience.
“I know my friends and family would be happy to get involved, so why not take a step to give them an easy opportunity, too?” she said.
For more information on RSPCA Cupcake Day or to get involved, head to www.rspcacupcakeday.com.au.