Yesterday, I helped run a cake stand at the Leighton Buzzard May Day Fair as part of our fundraising for the World Scout Jamboree.
The fair was very busy and well attended despite the slightly dull weather. There were lots of stalls selling products, games, food, and drinks, so there was a really good atmosphere throughout the day.
Our stand sold homemade cakes, teas, and coffees. Everyone involved helped bake different things for the stall, which made it feel like a real team effort.
Baking for the Event
For the bake sale, I made:
- Welsh Cakes
- Lemon Drizzle Cake
This was the first time I had made a Lemon Drizzle Cake, and I think it turned out quite well.
The Welsh Cakes were particularly interesting to make because they can be cooked in a pan instead of an oven, which would make them very useful on Scout camps. They also taste really good, especially when fresh.
The cakes on our stand ranged in price from 50p to £2.50, depending on size and type. We were also serving teas and coffees throughout the day.
Even though there were other stalls selling cakes and food as well, we still managed to do extremely well.
A busy but successful day from my autism perspective
The event was very high intensity because there were constant social interactions while serving customers. The noise level was also quite high for most of the day, and sometimes there was uncertainty about what job needed doing next.
From an autism perspective, I found this much more challenging than some previous fundraising events.
At a couple of points during the day, I started struggling with the amount of noise, social interaction, and pressure. I became emotional and started going into what is called an autism shutdown.
An autism shutdown is different from a meltdown because it is more internal. Instead of becoming outwardly angry or distressed, a person can become withdrawn, quiet, and less responsive. This it what I experience most often.
Fortunately, I was able to take a short break and use some re-regulation techniques that work for me. I also realised I had probably caused myself a slight sugar overload because earlier I had eaten one of the largest slices of cake we were selling. Eating some protein and taking some quiet time helped me recover and get back on track.
After that, I returned to helping on the stall and later walked around the fair selling some of the final cakes directly to people in the crowd. I even managed to get some additional donations, which helped increase the overall fundraising total.
Fundraising Results
By the end of the day, our cake stand had raised over £500, which meant £73 went towards my personal fundraising target as part of the Leighton Buzzard and surrounding area patrol within Unit 13 – Bedfordshire Black Cats.
Considering there were many other food stalls at the event, I think this was a very strong result.
What I learned from the event
Although I obviously did not enjoy struggling with the autism challenges during the event, I think it was still an important experience.
It helped my Bedfordshire Black Cat’s Leader and some of the other unit members understand what can happen when I become dysregulated. At the same time, it also showed that autism does not stop me from contributing, helping the team, or taking part in difficult situations.
I do not want to use autism as an excuse to avoid things. Sometimes I may need breaks, adjustments, or strategies to regulate myself, but I still want to challenge myself and support the unit in achieving our goal of attending the World Scout Jamboree in Poland in 2027.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I really enjoyed the cake stand at the May Day Fair despite the challenges. The atmosphere was busy and energetic, the cakes sold extremely well, and it felt rewarding knowing we had helped raise a significant amount of money.
I also learned more about managing myself during intense situations and recognising when I need to pause and regulate before continuing.
And importantly, I now know that homemade Welsh Cakes are definitely something worth bringing to future Scout camps.
Leave a Reply