10 June 2021 Fundraising
A ‘limited edition’ marmalade which was awarded ‘Best In Show’ at the World Marmalade Festival will raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association thanks to the support of its creator, and former MND Association Trustee, Mike Ranson.
Last month’s big win for Newcastle-based Mike at the Dalemain Marmalade Awards 2022 means that, aside from this being a monumental win for his Seville Orange Marmalade with Cider and Calvados, 50p from each jar sold though Dalemain will be donated to the MND Association as Mike’s chosen charity.
Mike’s marmalade scooped the top prize after being selected from fifteen homemade category winners. The judges from Fortnum & Mason said what made this marmalade really interesting was the combination of two kinds of alcohol which are very distinctive and work well with the overall citrus.
A Chartered Accountant and Magistrate, Mike became a Trustee of the Association in 2011 and took on the role of Honorary Treasurer in 2015 until 2018 when he stepped down from the Board. Mike’s father lived with MND and died in 1981.
Mike Ranson said:
“I am thrilled to have been awarded Best in Show at this year’s World Original Marmalade Awards.
“I first learnt the secrets of marmalade-making at an early age, from my father, who sadly died from motor neurone disease. I’m particularly pleased, therefore, that the sale of my marmalade will raise funds for the MND Association, a charity so close to my heart, and in his memory.
“I would particularly like to thank my wife Jenny, who has supported me throughout my quest to uncover a unique and award-winning recipe. Early on in my career as a chartered accountant, we lived in London and we would spend many a fun evening with friends trying out special ingredients and concocting a variety of experimental preserves…admittedly some were a lot tastier than others!”
Mike added:
“I can’t wait to see my recipe commercially produced and on sale at Fortnum & Mason. I would like to thank everyone involved with the World’s Original Marmalade Awards at Dalemain and Fortnum & Mason for this opportunity. I hope everyone enjoys my Seville Orange with Cider and Calvados creation!”
Founded in 2005, The World’s Original Marmalade Awards has grown into an internationally renowned event. This year the competition received over 3000 entries from all over the world, with over a thousand from artisan makers, and is supported by leading companies such as Fortnum & Mason. Nationally acclaimed chefs and preserve specialists select the winning marmalades. Tradition dictates the winning marmalade is commercially produced as a 'limited edition' for a year, with a proportion of sales going to charity.
Buy Mike's award-winning marmalade