BURNHAM-ON-SEA artist Felicity Franks is donating a pet portrait to the winner of a 'Bake Off' event which is aiming to raise funds for research into Long Covid.

The Pawfect Virtual Bake Off has been organised by Bake4MECFS, and is fundraising for the Open Medicine Foundation (OMF), with donations going towards research into chronic diseases including Long Covid and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Rebecca Handler, from the OMF, explained: “Early on in the pandemic, Open Medicine Foundation realised that a percentage of those who do not recover from Covid-19 may end up with ME/CFS.

"We're now leading a large-scale international study following the potential conversion of Long-Covid to ME/CFS - a chronic, life-altering disease.

"We know one thing to be true: if we don't do the research now, millions will be left behind.”

To enter the Bake Off event, Bake4MECFS is asking pet owners and animal lovers to donate £4, and then bake something animal-themed - the more creative the better!

Entries should be submitted by posting a photo on social media and tagging the charity (@bake4mecfs on Instagram) or emailing them directly, via bake4me.social@gmail.com, with extra brownie points if pets feature in the photo alongside the baked goods.

The deadline for entries is the end of May, when a winner (or possible winners) will be chosen by the event's celebrity judges - actors Jennie Jacques and Linus Roache - and their pets - alongside YouTube dog star Milo Bennett.

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News:

JUDGES: Actors Jennie Jacques and Linus Roache

The winner will receive a custom pastel pet portrait from Burnham-based Felicity Franks, who launched Felicity Franks Portraits in September 2020 from a studio at her home, and specialises in pet and people portraits in pastels and charcoals.

She said: "I was approached by Bake4MECFS, as this is a pet-themed competition, so a portrait of the winner’s pet seemed like the perfect prize!

"I’m incredibly happy to help out this great cause, which needs all the more support at the moment after a year of Covid-19.

"I’m very excited to see the entries and look forward to making someone smile with their prize!

"Please do enter, or help spread the word on social media as this is a great event, which should be a lot of fun and helps out a very worthy cause which doesn’t get a lot of publicity.”

For more information about the Pawfect Virtual Bake Off, or to get involved, visit the website here.