Brits love their tea as much as their pets

14/05/2008

The British public are well-known for their love of animals, and now they can help them by indulging in one of their favourite pastimes - drinking tea.

Dogs of all shapes and sizes will today be ‘taking tea’ at the prestigious Oxo Tower restaurant on London’s South Bank to celebrate the start of the UK’s biggest Tea Party in aid of needy pets - a nationwide fundraising initiative organised by The Blue Cross to help raise funds for the animals in its care.

The lucky pooches will enjoy a spot of afternoon tea ‘doggy style’ at the top London restaurant in aid of the thousands of sick, injured and homeless pets cared for by the animal charity every year at its hospitals and rehoming centres.

Almost a thousand animal-lovers have signed up to support The Blue Cross by holding their own Tea Party, on or around Friday 16 May, in homes, offices, schools and even police stations across the country. The event has also taken off worldwide, with Blue Cross Tea Parties being held in Italy and Japan.

Caroline Powley, nurse manager at The Blue Cross animal hospital in Victoria, London, said: "Brits love their tea and their pets, so this is a really simple way of bringing the two together. Just seven cups of tea will pay for the cost of providing a lifesaving drip for a poorly pet in one of our animal hospitals."

Last year, the first Blue Cross Tea Party raised over £30,000 for the charity, thanks to supporters like Karen Sheard, who held a tea party at her hair salon called ‘Skizzers’ in Grimsby. She said: "Last year’s Tea Party was really good fun. We all love animals, and it was good to raise money for something a bit different. There was a great atmosphere in the salon and we all had a bit of a laugh. The customers responded really well and some even brought in their own cakes for us."

In the months leading up to the event, The Blue Cross has been finding out just how passionate Brits are about drinking tea. An online survey* conducted by the charity has revealed that our craving for the national beverage follows us all around the world. When people were asked to name the strangest place they had enjoyed a cup of tea, the top five answers included:

1. In a tree
2. On top of Ben Nevis
3. 300 meters down a salt mine
4. In a Bedouin tent in the Sahara Desert
5. At the Ministry of Sound night club

When asked who their dream tea party guest would be, the top choice was Johnny Depp, followed by George Clooney and Angelina Jolie. When it comes to the way in which Brits drink their tea, most men admitted to slurping or gulping it down, whereas women regarded themselves as ‘sippers’. A quarter of participants also revealed that they had thrown a party especially for their pet.

Model and proud dog owner, Jodie Marsh, has lent her support for this year’s campaign. She said: "Lots of Blue Cross pets desperately need your help, so let’s make sure they find lovely new homes by drinking gallons of tea and eating as many cream cakes as we can!" Jodie also shared some of her own tea-time secrets, revealing that when it comes to drinking tea, she is definitely a "gulper." She added that for her, the Big Brother house was the strangest place she has ever drunk a cup of tea.

ENDS
Notes to editors

· Photos of the Tea Party with dogs at The Oxo Tower in London are available via The Blue Cross press office (contact below) for journalists who are unable to attend the photocall on Wednesday 14 May at 10am
· *The Blue Cross Tea Drinkers' Survey was carried out between April and May this year on the charity's website
· Supporters can still register for a free Tea Party fundraising pack by visiting www.bluecrossteaparty.org.uk or by phoning 08444 993 663.
· The Blue Cross is Britain's pet charity, providing practical support, information and advice for pet and horse owners. Through its network of 11 animal adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each year. Its four hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people who cannot afford private vets' fees. For more information, visit www.bluecross.org.uk

Media contact
Ziela Haider, press officer - 020 7932 4063 / 07860 519716 or email: ziela.haider@bluecross.org.uk