Co Down baker Ryan Bogues has been bringing a smile to people's faces with his delicious treats while raising vital funds for countless charities over the last seven years. The 27-year-old, who has Down's Syndrome, has been baking cakes and creating homemade jams to sell to his loyal supporters from his home in Crossgar.
Ryan, who has received letters of thanks from names such as Boris Johnston and Robin Swann for his good work, has now captured the hearts of UK-based disaster relief charity ShelterBox after another month-long baking bonanza. Ryan has raised more than £1,500 for ShelterBox after selecting them as his charity of the month in June.
It was the charity’s work supporting internally displaced people in Ukraine and people fleeing the war-torn country that caught the attention of Ryan and his family via Lisburn Rotary Club.
Read more: Health Minister pens moving note to NI baker Ryan Bogues
Ryan’s mum Hazel said: "We wanted to fundraise for a charity that was providing practical and easy to understand help for the families affected by this conflict - because it is important to us that Ryan is able to understand the difference that his little business makes. ShelterBox sings to us because it provides emergency shelter and tools for people who have been made homeless through disaster and conflict.
"Ryan has the strongest moral compass of nearly anyone I know, like his Grampa, and it comes out in deeds rather than words. He was, however, very keen that everyone in need should have a tent, a mattress, a torch, a frying pan, blankets, food, water, toilet roll… and a hot tub.
"Now that might sound like he is missing the point a little, but his logic is that hot tubs are great, and everybody should have the chance to use one no matter what their circumstances are."
Ryan and his family share his daily bakes and updates of funds raised each month on their Ryan's Cookie Box Facebook page.
Harriett Roberts is Director of Fundraising and Communications at ShelterBox. From Portrush, but now living in Greenisland, Harriett visited Ryan and his family to find out more about his love of baking and fundraising.
Harriett said: "It’s not often you meet people as inspirational as Ryan and his family. They are making a huge difference to charities like ShelterBox every single month and we are so grateful to have had their support.
"People come from across Northern Ireland to sample the delicious treats inside Ryan’s Cookie Box, and I can see why! I can’t wait for my next hamper of goodies."
"While we were keen to hear all about Harriett’s work at ShelterBox she was just as keen to hear all about Ryan’s Cookie Box, and how it works," Hazel continued. "She stayed for the afternoon, and we talked and talked - and even managed to fit in enough time to make a batch of chocolate brownies."
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