Residents, staff, families, and members of the local community recently came together at Willowcroft as part of Coeliac Awareness Month, helping to raise awareness and money for people living with coeliac disease.
The bake sale and awareness campaign was organised by Willowcroft Carer Litti Shipp, her daughter Mya (9), and Willowcroft resident, who all live with coeliac disease. Litti and Mya also baked a range of gluten-free cakes and treats for the event. Alongside raising awareness of the autoimmune condition, the fundraiser has so far raised an incredible £548 for Coeliac UK.
Following the recent arrival of a resident diagnosed with coeliac disease, Litti has been helping to raise awareness within the home and ensure staff understand the importance of food safety and gluten-free living. She also praised the dedication of the Willowcroft chef and team for going above and beyond to support residents living with the condition.
Coeliac disease affects around 1 in 100 people and is caused by a reaction to gluten, which damages the small intestine. Many people living with the condition face daily challenges, making awareness and understanding especially important.
Litti said:
Raising awareness for Coeliac Disease is so important, it’s not spoken about enough. Living with an autoimmune disease can be so tricky. So spreading awareness is so important to educate others. The bake sale was a huge success! Everyone came together to support us and raise awareness. Every cake bought and donation will make a difference.
Mya also shared her experience of living with coeliac disease. She said:
Living with coeliac disease is so hard and I have so many boundaries, if more people understood my condition I would feel so much more happier.
The successful event highlighted the importance of education, inclusion, and community support for those living with coeliac disease.