Helen Barrett Bright Ideas: Becky’s bakes

My name is Becky, I’m 37 years old, and I was born in Croydon but now live in Edenbridge with my husband Rob.

My cystic fibrosis (CF) story is a little unusual. I was diagnosed with CF when I was 29 years old. I had a childhood filled with chest infections, and I ended up with pneumonia and was hospitalised a lot with breathing problems.

It was a relief to finally get a diagnosis

After the hospital carried out some tests, I received a call asking me to come in. I said to my then-friend Rob that they must have found something. I wasn't scared; I actually had a sense of relief that they had found out what was wrong.

Once I had the diagnosis, there was a lot of information to take in, and a lot of treatments and medications - but I was finally on the right track. I now even have a port to make giving antibiotics easier. I have been given the most amazing support from my CF team.

I got into baking at school, but it wasn’t until around 10 years later that I really started to experiment and discover what I could achieve. My first real celebration cake was in the form of a Mini Cooper. I watched YouTube tutorials to learn new techniques –and I’m still learning and growing, to this day! I’ve even started to take on wedding cakes this year.

All my friends and family told me to give it a go

I saw the Helen Barrett Bright Ideas Award advertised on the Trust’s Facebook page. I was really unsure whether I should apply,as I wasn't sure I was good enough. However, I had a great support network who all agreed I should give it ago. I was completely shocked to get a call just a couple of months later telling me I had won – I still can't quite believe it.

I want to make Becky Bakes the best it can be

I’m currently in the process of sourcing a new oven and a food-safe printer so I can print my own logos and images or photos for cakes using food-safe ink. I used the award money to purchase a laptop for creating the images to print. I’m also looking into fondant modelling courses, to improve my ability to make figurines for cakes.

In the future, I would really like to be spending much more time on my cakes, cupcakes, and cookies, really making a name for myself,and seeing how I can make Becky Bakes the best it can be.

You can check out Becky Bakes on Facebook.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition which causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system. It affects more than 10,800 people in the UK. One in 25 of us carries the faulty gene that causes it, usually without knowing. 

The Helen Barrett Bright Ideas Awards are available for anyone with CF over the age of 18 to help support your dream career or hobby. Whatever you need to make your lightbulb moment a reality, a Helen Barrett Bright Ideas Award can help you on your way.

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