CELEBRITY chef Jamie Oliver wants you to tuck into a mince pie on Monday and back a charity campaign.
He is supporting the #MincePieMonday project by Brighton-based Team Domenica by urging people to eat one of the festive treats, take a 'melfie' (a mince pie selfie) and then donate to the cause.
Those who sign up to support the campaign will have access to a special mince pie recipe created by Jamie.
It is part of a month-long fundraising appeal to raise £10,000 for the charity which helps adults with learning disabilities study and learn skills to get jobs.
The money will help pay for an enrichment programme to help students cope with their new surroundings in the workplace.
More than £800 has been raised so far but much more is raised to help make the project a success.
Jamie, who has just released a Christmas cookbook, said: "Team Domenica is a wonderful social enterprise project – it's giving people with learning difficulties the opportunity to get experience working in the hospitality industry, and in turn become a meaningful part of their community. Keep up the great work, guys."
The students will be able to explore their talents with the training programme through fun and interesting activities like drumming, yoga, table tennis and by going on day trips.
All will focus on skills they may need in the work place, like problem solving and flexibility.
Rosa Monckton, who founded the charity in the name of her daughter Domenica who has Down's syndrome, said the programme was vital in helping students' social, cognitive and physical development.
She said: “This enrichment programme is a really crucial part of the course at Team Domenica. It is all about doing something that is fun and they will enjoy taking part in as well as learning at the same time.
"We’ve been working closely with organisations like the Brighton Table Tennis Club, another charity, which is great as it helps students learn about team playing and other skills.
"We receive absolutely no government funding and we are providing a voluntary service so we are grateful for everyone’s support.”
The charity relies entirely on donations.
Sign up to support the campaign and receive the recipe at http://eepurl.com/cqIaoX
Donate to the cause at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/enrichmentappeal
Background
TEAM Domenica is a place where adults with learning disabilities can learn skills to get a job.
It has attracted a list of A-list supporters so far. It was launched by actress Julia Walters in September and cookery star Nigella Lawson, visited in October to teach students how to make cupcakes.
The charity, based in Old Steine, Brighton, is named after Rosa's her 21-year-old daughter Domenica - a goddaughter of Princess Diana - who has Down's syndrome. Students can also help to run a café which is open to the public.
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