Churches, schools and businesses throughout Australia fired up their frying pans on Tuesday for the annual UnitingCare Pancake Day.
Pancake Day takes place on Shrove Tuesday every year and is a fun way to bring the community together while making a real difference to people’s lives.
Shrove Tuesday is traditionally the final day of indulgence before Lent, a 40-day period of abstinence leading up to Easter. Historically, Christians gave up food such as butter and eggs during Lent. This led to the tradition of making pancakes on Shrove Tuesday to use up the ingredients.
Every year, hundreds of people hold Pancake Day events in their homes, schools, workplaces and community groups. All funds raised from Pancake Day events go directly to UnitingCare agencies operating in local communities throughout Victoria and Tasmania. This will provide much-needed support for people suffering from homelessness, domestic violence, addictions and financial hardship.
Staff members at AMP in Melbourne (pictured) also joined in the festivities, cooking pancakes outside Collins Place.
Since 2002, millions of pancakes have been flipped and sold to raise funds for UnitingCare agencies. Last year’s Pancake Day raised almost $83,000. Organisers are hoping to reach $100,000 this year.
UnitingCare Australia National Director Lin Hatfield Dodds said it has been an exciting start to Pancake Day with many community groups, churches and businesses flipping pancakes in support of a good cause.
“We would like to thank everyone who held an event in their local community or brought a couple of yummy pancakes to support this worthy cause,” Ms Hatfield Dodds said.
“All the money raised from Pancake Day events will support UnitingCare – one of the largest providers of community services in Australia, assisting over 2 million people each year.”
Pancake Day is supported by a number of prominent ambassadors, including celebrity chef Janelle Bloom. Ms Bloom appeared on national television show Studio Ten in front of a live audience in an attempt to beat the world record for the tallest pancake stack.
“Sadly we didn’t make the record, but hopefully we made good TV,” Ms Bloom said.
“We didn’t quite get the stack to stand upright but we did make enough.”
The world record for the tallest stack of pancakes currently stands at 101.8cm. It was achieved by Center Parcs Sherwood Forest in Nottingham on Monday night.
Pancake Day events will continue throughout the month. Church and community groups can participate by hosting their own event, visiting a Pancake Day cook-up or donating online at www.pancakeday.com.au.
The Pancake Day website also has pancake recipes, promotional posters and other resources to help you host your own event.
If you have photos from your local Pancake Day event, please share them with us at Crosslight@victas.uca.org.au
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