Arlene Phillips and Cheska Hull take tea for more than two…

TV stars Arlene Phillips CBE and Made in Chelsea’s Cheska Hull have joined forces with Blue Cross to unveil the pet charity’s Tea Party 2013 campaign.

Blue Cross which has been helping sick, injured and homeless pets since 1987 is encouraging members of the public to host their own tea parties on Friday 10th May to raise money to help the thousands of animals in their care across the country.

One of those pets was young cat Lola, found abandoned, alone and pregnant in an empty property in Devon. Luckily, she was brought to the Blue Cross rehoming centre in Torbay where she gave birth to three kittens, Levi, Lotto and Lemmy a couple of weeks later. Thanks to the team at Blue Cross, Lola’s kittens had a happy, healthy start to life and all three and their mum have now been found loving new homes.

Cheska Hull said; “Evie and I are delighted to be launching the Blue Cross Tea Party today. I am a huge animal lover and it’s heartbreaking that there are so many pets out there that don’t have a loving home. The work the Blue Cross does helps to ensure they can get a second chance at life. So take to your kitchens and get out your mixing bowls – Britain’s pets need you!”

Arlene and Cheska are part of a team of animal loving celebrities who have all designed their own special edition pet-themed teapots that will be auctioned to raise funds to help make a difference to the lives of thousands of pets in Blue Cross care. The celebrities who have created teapots include Laura Hamilton, Sinitta, Felicity Kendal, Kristina Rihanoff and Jenni Falconer, plus many more who are also showing their support for this year’s campaign.

Arlene Phillips adds; “I have been busy mastering my baking skills for the Blue Cross Tea Party and I want to appeal to all the pet lovers out there to do the same. I used to really struggle with baking but ever since I did the Great British Bake Off, I love to shut myself away in the kitchen for a few hours whipping up a Victoria sponge or some scones to share with the family. I actually find it very therapeutic, and what’s great is that anyone can have a go to help this fantastic cause. With a huge rise in stray and abandoned pets over the last few years, Blue Cross needs our help more than ever to continue caring for animals in need.”

Blue Cross is a charity dedicated to helping poorly, injured and abandoned pets for over 100 years, doing what’s needed to give every pet a healthy life in a happy home. They run four animal hospitals and 12 rehoming centres across the UK, which provide treatment and seek happy homes for thousands of cats, dogs, small pets and horses each year.

Cheska continues: “Ollie and I had a brilliant time decorating our teapots and now I can’t wait for the auction to start – we definitely have some competition between us as to who’s design will raise the most money! Its such a fantastic cause and as well as bidding on our fabulous teapots, you can also get involved by hosting your own tea party with your friends and family or in your office and help make a real difference to the lives of sick and abandoned pets.”

The auction will take place online from 2nd to 12th May you can get involved and bid on your favourite pet-inspired teapot by visiting the Blue Cross website here. To order your free Tea Party host pack full of ideas and recipes, click here.

Arlene Phillips concludes: “My cat Romeo and dog Polly means the world to me, so I’m lending my support to the Blue Cross Tea Party to help other pets that aren’t as lucky. I want to encourage people across the country to host their own tea parties to help this fantastic cause. Everyone, young and old, can get involved and have a go at baking some yummy cakes, whilst helping make a real difference to the lives of homeless and sick pets.”

[Reported by Doug Lambert]