Example Press Release

EXAMPLE PRESS RELEASE

As the craze for home baking continues to sweep the country, volunteers from the (Branch/Group Name), of the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association are asking for budding bakers to don their aprons and host a special ‘bakeit!’ event to raise funds to help support people in (name area) affected by MND.

Bakers can be as creative as they like with their ‘bakeit!’ theme. They could organise a vintage cake stall, a coffee and chat morning, an afternoon tea party or maybe a good old- fashioned bake sale – the choices are off the scales!

(Insert a quote of a local story about bakeit! – providing a strong local story for local media will generate better interest.)

Example Siblings Callum (10) and Susie (8) Squire, from Geddington in Northamptonshire, supported their local branch last year with a ‘bakeit!- Cupcake Party’ in memory of their grandfather, Ronald, who sadly died from MND in 2011. They invited friends and family to an afternoon party of cupcake decorating, awarding a prize to the best looking cake, a cupcake sale and a baking quiz. They raised over £500.

(Name and position if applicable) from the (insert name of branch) said: “A ‘bakeit!’ event is a fantastic ‘fun-for-all’ activity. Each host can make it as big as they like, whether it be a cuppa, cake and natter with their friends or a large fete on the green; it’s a baker’s delight of choice.

“We thank our hosts in advance for their hard work. Your fundraising efforts will allow us to continue supporting people in (insert county/area) affected by MND; and help to imrpve the quality of life.”

Money raised at each ‘bakeit!’ event will provide vital support for people living with MND, their families and carers. It will also enable the MND Association to continue research into finding a cure for the fatal disease which affects up to 5,000 people in the UK at any one time. Half of those diagnosed with MND die within 14 months of diagnosis.

Denise Davies, Head of Community Fundraising at the MND Association, said: “Without the support of people fundraising, the MND Association simply would not be able to provide its vital support services and fund research to find a cure. Together we are making a real difference for people affected by this devastating disease. It’s an event for everyone to enjoy, so invite your family, friends and colleagues to join in the fun. We look forward to welcoming you on board in 2014.”

To make your bake sale even more of a success, visit our website www.mndassociation.org/bakeit for fundraising tips, support materials and an online toolkit.

ENDS Notes to Editors

For further information on the above and to arrange an interview, please contact: your name and number.

For further information about the Association please contact: Emma Johns Communications Manager Motor Neurone Disease Association 01604 611838 www.mndassociation.org Registered Charity No 294354

About motor neurone disease (MND) and the MND Association:

● MND is a fatal, rapidly progressive disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. ● It attacks the nerves that control movement; people can still think and feel, but their muscles refuse to work. ● It can leave people locked in a failing body, unable to move, talk, and eventually, breathe. It affects people from all communities. ● It kills five people every day in the UK, half within 14 months of diagnosis. ● It affects up to 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time. ● It has no cure. ● Five people die from MND every day in the UK.

The MND Association was founded in 1979 by a group of volunteers with experience of living with, or caring for, someone with MND. Since then, we have grown significantly, with an ever-increasing community of volunteers, supporters and staff, all sharing the same goal - to support people with MND and everyone who cares for them, both now and in the future. ● We improve care and support for people with MND, their families and carers. ● We fund and promote research that leads to new understanding and treatments and brings us closer to a cure for MND. ● We campaign and raise awareness so the needs of people with MND, and everyone who cares for them, are recognised and addressed by wider society.

Notes to branches and groups

Before sending your press release to your local paper/radio/magazine, call and find out when the deadlines are and whether they will be interested perhaps in receiving photographs after your event or whether it could be included in any events listings?

If an event is open to the public you may want to encourage media coverage BEFORE the big day so contact the media at least a fortnight before your event. Try and submit an image too at the same time. This could be you with the person who has inspired your fundraising efforts. Images can be emailed together with the press release and are usually best in a simple JPEG format. Note that images taken on camera phones will NOT be of a quality suitable for newspapers. Make sure you remember to include the details in the press release. For example:

Pic attached: (left to right) Siblings Callum (10) and Susie (8) Squire baking up a treat

* Example – This is not a real story; it has been created to demonstrate the strength a quote can add to a press release*