The first ever Big Picnic will be held this summer, hosted by the charity Parenting Mental Health, who are inviting supporters, families and workplaces to take part on Thursday 29th August, raising funds and awareness for parents who are supporting a child with mental health challenges.

Families, friends, neighbours and colleagues are invited to host their own picnic and will be given a fundraising pack that includes a specially designed recipe from former Great British Bake Off contestant Dan Hunter. The kit also contains fundraising materials and tips on how to make the event a success, in exchange for an optional donation to Parenting Mental Health.  

Additionally, the charity will host a virtual picnic on 29th August for its 40,000+ community members, filled with interactive workshops, talks and activities to boost wellbeing, including sessions on therapeutic journalling, breathwork, creative writing, clay therapy and a digital picnic that families can join from the comfort of their own home.

As well as the Big Picnic cupcake recipe from Dan Hunter, crochet expert Moonfly's Emporium will provide a crochet pattern for a picnicbasket and the charity’s food community will be sharing recipes for their favourite sweet and savoury picnic dishes. Participants are welcome to host their picnics on the day, during the bank holiday weekend or in the week leading up to it. 

More information is available at www.parentingmentalhealth.org/The-Big-Picnic, where organisers can also subscribe to receive a fundraising pack and tips on how to make the event a success.