They were joined by siblings Hayley and Toby Smith, and Matilda Player, who all had a hand in selling the home-made baked goods to raise more than $1000 last week for people and wildlife affected by the Australian bushfires.
It was a cause close to their hearts.
During some of the hottest weather recorded, and at the peak of the bushfires in Australia, the fire got to within 10km of the Players’ family home.
Karly Smith, mother of Hayley, Piper and Toby, said the group of children, all cousins, had come up with the idea to do a bake sale to raise money for those affected by the fires. "They were so enthusiastic."
Each child took charge of different aspects of the baking, using treasured family recipes and some from the Edmonds Cookbook, and marketed the sale, with signage and flyers distributed to businesses in town and posts on Facebook.
Among those baked goods were vanilla and chocolate cupcakes, Anzac and chocolate chip biscuits, apricot and chocolate truffles, lamingtons and Gluten Free cupcakes. They also had a lolly cake and a date loaf, which were donated in support of the cause.
The Player girls, along with their mother Melissa, nee Burrowes (who is Mrs Smith’s sister) were visiting family in Ashburton as part of the Christmas school holidays; it was planned before the fires broke out. Their dad Alex opted to stay at home in Australia, just to keep an eye on things.
The girls thanked those who supported them, including New World who donated bags and cupcake holders.
