Guide Dogs charity teams up with Masterchef's Gregg Wallace in attempt to smash world record for biggest virtual tea party

Fylde Coast Guide Dogs supporters and Masterchef presenter Gregg Wallace will take part in the 'Great Guide Dogs Virtual Tea Party' on April 21 - National Tea Day.

Last year the charity smashed the world record for the largest recorded number of people meeting via webcam for a friendly chat over a cup of tea and slice of cake. 4,021 people raised £50,000 and received support from celebrities such as Eddie Izzard, Imelda Staunton, Martin Clunes, and Stephanie Beacham.

This year, they hope to break the record yet again by encouraging more than 10,000 people to take part.

Pam White, fundraising manager at Fylde Coast Guide Dogs, said: “Over the past year we have all become aware of what it feels like to be isolated. Everyone hosting a virtual tea party for us or donating the cost of their cuppa on National Tea Day will ensure people with sight loss don’t feel alone now, and in the future”.

The national Guide Dogs charity provides 8,000 dogs to blind and partially sighted people across Britain. Each dog costs the charity £13 per day - more than £100,000 in total.

On top of that, the cost of breeding and training just one new guide dog rounds out at a whopping £34,600.

Gregg said: “I’m so pleased to be able to support Guide Dogs again this year for their attempt at the World’s Biggest Virtual Tea Party. We’ve all become very familiar with what it feels like to be isolated this past year, but Guide Dogs exists to support people with sight loss who deal with isolation every day. So why not help them continue to provide their life-changing services by joining them on National Tea Day as they attempt to get as many people as possible sharing a photo of themselves with their favourite cuppa?"

To take part in the world record attempt, people must first sign up on the Guide Dogs' Facebook page, The Great Guide Dogs Virtual Tea Party. Then, on April 21 at 3pm, they must take to social media and share selfies of themselves enjoying their own personal tea party.

Find out more at www.guidedogs.org.uk/national-tea-day.