Big Brew supporters offered a taste of Bettys to help bring cancer cures to Yorkshire

Much-loved Yorkshire favourite Bettys has teamed up with Yorkshire Cancer Research to inspire cake bakers and cuppa makers to host a tea party and help bring new cancer cures and treatments to people in Yorkshire.

The award-winning Bettys Cookery School, based in Harrogate, is gifting everyone who signs up to the charity’s Yorkshire’s Big Brew an exclusive recipe for its delicious lemon tart, giving supporters a chance to enjoy a taste of Bettys while raising funds for life-saving cancer research in Yorkshire.

Whether it’s a coffee morning with colleagues or a celebration at home with family and friends, every brew, bake and butty can help fund vital research and pioneering cancer services that save lives in the region, and beyond.

Yorkshire Cancer Research will also launch a photo competition on its social media channels, offering budding bakers the chance to showcase their Big Brew creations and win an Afternoon Tea for Four voucher at Bettys Tearooms in Harrogate or York. Entries will be judged by experts at Bettys, with the winning baker announced in September.

As one of Yorkshire’s most iconic and cherished names, Bettys has been bringing people together through high-quality, handcrafted bakes, iconic afternoon teas and memorable dining experiences for more than a century.

Continuing its long-standing commitment to supporting communities across the region, Bettys Bakery and Cookery School chose Yorkshire Cancer Research as a charity partner for 2026, supporting the charity’s mission to find new and better ways to prevent, detect and treat cancer.

Having been part of the Bettys team for over a decade, Ruth Burke-Kennedy, from Saltaire, is passionate about supporting the work of Yorkshire Cancer Research after personally benefitting from advances in treatment and early diagnosis. The 55-year-old was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 after noticing a change in her breast.

Ruth said: “Within a month of seeing my GP about my potential cancer symptoms I had surgery to remove the cancerous mass in my breast. The diagnosis was a shock, but the care I received in Bradford was fantastic. Because the cancer was spotted early, they were able to treat it straight away. After my operation, I had five sessions of radiotherapy, and thankfully I didn’t need any more treatment.”

“I’m cancer free now, and that’s largely thanks to early diagnosis. I think it’s so important for people to recognise the importance of what Yorkshire Cancer Research does, by funding research that helps find cancer sooner.”

Every 15 minutes, someone in Yorkshire is told they have cancer. Yorkshire Cancer Research funds vital innovative screening programmes and clinical trials to help detect and diagnose cancer at the earliest possible opportunity, when it is often easier to treat. These include the DOORstep trial, which is offering thousands of women in Hull free door-to-door transport to their breast screening appointments, and the YORKSURe trial, which is investigating whether urine self-testing kits and community early-detection clinics can help identify bladder health problems, including cancer, earlier.

This year also marks an important milestone for Bettys Cookery School - its 25th anniversary. Since first opening its doors in Harrogate, the school has welcomed thousands of aspiring cooks from across Yorkshire for hands-on cooking and baking courses, led by expert tutors.

This includes Lisa Bennison, Manager of Bettys Cookery School who has worked there for nearly 40 years after she first joined as a college intern in 1986. With nearly four decades of culinary experience, Lisa knows what it takes to create a memorable day of cooking and baking.

Lisa said: “I love developing my skills in the Bettys kitchen, and I’m even more passionate about teaching people how to create the dishes and desserts that makes this iconic Yorkshire institution so special. Providing this fresh lemon tart recipe for Yorkshire’s Big Brew is our way of carrying on the tradition of sharing knowledge and enthusiasm for food with people in Yorkshire.”

She continued: “Too many people in Yorkshire are affected by cancer, but by supporting the work of Yorkshire Cancer Research, we can help change things. We hope everyone is able to enjoy their own extra special Big Brew event with this bespoke Bettys Cookery School bake.”

People who sign up to join Yorkshire’s Big Brew will be sent the exclusive Bettys lemon tart recipe in their free fundraising pack, filled with everything needed to make their Big Brew a success, including balloons, bunting, cake flags and more.

Neil Preston, Director of Fundraising at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: "Yorkshire Cancer Research is delighted that Bettys Bakery and Cookery School has chosen to support the charity's life-saving mission. As one of Yorkshire's most iconic and much-loved brands, Bettys is a fantastic fit for Yorkshire's Big Brew, helping bring people together to raise funds for research and services that save lives."

Denise Pickup from Bettys Charity Committee at Bettys & Taylors Group, said: “Every year, across the Bettys & Taylors Group, our employees nominate and vote for the charities that they’d like to support; charities that are close to their hearts and have special meaning for them. This year Bettys Craft Bakery has chosen Yorkshire Cancer Research, who do such important work in raising funds to improve treatment and find cures for people in Yorkshire living with cancer.

“We hope the delicious cake recipe from Bettys Cookery School will encourage people to lend their own support, by joining in Yorkshire’s Big Brew, to raise money for life-saving cancer research.”