Crown the jewels in your community to celebrate The Coronation

Research ahead of the Coronation weekend’s Big Help Out has found that Brits are spending an average of 8.2 hours per week on little acts that make a big difference in their local area.

Dr. Oetker Baking’s research into the nation’s community work and Coronation plans, found that

60% of UK adults believe the royal celebration will bring neighbourhoods together. Feeling like part of the community is hugely important to Brits, with 77% admitting it’s something they care about greatly. What’s more, baking is a major element of the nation’s community work: over half (51%) use this skill as part of their volunteering.

The data also revealed that a fifth of the country will be whipping up a homemade cake to share with friends and family in honour of Charles III’s Coronation. Fruit cake and trifle are amongst the weekend’s top 10 most popular bakes, suggesting that the UK is keen to mimic His Majesty’s reported favourite desserts for their own celebrations.

To celebrate the Coronation and thank the jewels in Britain's communities, from unsung volunteers to charity bake sale extraordinaires, the brand is launching a search for local heroes who do little acts of kindness that make a big difference.

Three winners will be crowned, with a £1,000 charity donation available to the overall champion, alongside a Coronation hamper full of party decorations and baking goodies from Dr. Oetker’s Great British range, to ensure local communities can celebrate the Coronation in style.

Not only that, but the overall winner will receive a royal-themed bake, created and delivered by

Great British Bake Off finalist, Sandro Farmhouse. A true jewel in the community, he is an ambassador for the National Autistic Society and the creator of a voluntary kid’s project, ‘Beyond

The Cakes’, where he offers baking lessons for people on the autism spectrum.

The two further winners will bag themselves a video message from Sandro, as well as a £250 donation to a charity of their choice and a Coronation hamper too.

Entry couldn’t be simpler, visit the Dr. Oetker Baking UK Facebook or Instagram channels, and nominate someone who deserves a crown for the positive impact they make in their community - tell us why they're so great by commenting or direct messaging (and share a photo if you have one!)

Alternatively, head to Sandro Farmhouse’s Instagram for competition details and recipe inspiration.

The nominee could be anyone, from someone who whips up snacks for the kids’ football team each week, to the organiser of local litter picks, the ‘star baker’ at school bake sales, and more.

Brits are keen to pass on their love of cake and baking, with almost half (42%) saying that cake tastes better when shared, and that chocolate and fruit are the flavours of cakes they’d most like to share with family, friends and neighbours. When it comes to the royals, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, is the monarch they would most like to share a slice with.

To support the sharing of bakes and celebrations during the Coronation, Dr. Oetker has launched a new limited edition range, which includes Great British baking cases, writing icing and sprinkles, in addition to its wide range of year round baking ingredients such as gold pearls and food colour gels, which will all help to create a cake fit for a King!

Amy Beresford, Senior Brand Manager at Dr. Oetker, said: “We know that when it comes to supporting your local community a little makes a big difference, which is why we are looking to give back to the people who are always putting in the effort to make their community a better place, and what better time than His Majesty The King’s Coronation to celebrate these people – a time when community is so important.

“We can’t wait to hear the heart-warming stories and will ensure the winners, plus those around them, can pay tribute to this national celebration in style –with a fantastic Coronation hamper and a one-of-a-kind bake from true community jewel Sandro Farmhouse.”

Dr. Oetker Baking’s competition runs from 12th -19th April. For full terms and conditions, please click here.

The nation’s 10 favourite cakes to bake for the Coronation weekend are:

1. Cupcakes

2. Chocolate brownies

3. Fruit cake

4. Cherry Bakewell

5. Chocolate cake

6. Millionaire’s shortcake

7. Cheesecake

8. Trifle

9. Red velvet cake

10. Angel cake