Retford Oaks Academy’s ‘fabulous baker boys’ smash £1,000 fundraising target at Christmas lights switch-on

Matthew Bennell, Henry Evans, Harry Fox, Dominic Harrison-Hawkes, Thomas Kemp, Thomas Ormerod and Oliver Waring have been participating in a personal development programme led by Dermot Gascoyne, a mentor at Retford Oaks Academy and former professional boxer. Dermot was invited into a BTEC PE lesson earlier this year to speak to students about healthy eating habits and nutrition. What started as a single session evolved into weekly lunchtime meet-ups where the boys and Dermot discussed personal development, healthy routines, mental health, local issues and current affairs, always over a cup of tea.

“Every week I start by making them a cup of tea,” said Dermot. “It’s integral. It shows respect, and that I talk to and treat them as young men, as equals.”

These informal gatherings soon developed a unique twist. The boys began bringing cakes, biscuits and savoury treats to each meeting, which quickly snowballed into a friendly bake-off, complete with a rota, ensuring all members took ownership of a different bake.

“It’s taught us accountability,” said student, Henry - “You have to show up with the goods when it’s your turn. Even if it doesn’t go to plan, say if the biscuits burn, you still show up.”

The group have embraced three core values - integrity, ambition and teamwork - and have poured in a lot of their own time and effort to ensure they reached their ambitious target. Baking has become their unexpected vehicle for personal growth. The boys say the project has helped them challenge stigma and social conceptions around young men and domestic skills, while strengthening their time management, responsibility and accountability. What started as a fun weekly bake-off has evolved into a space where they can support one another, build confidence and demonstrate positive masculinity in action.

The group joke that there have only been a few occasions when someone has arrived empty-handed, each time earning a stern but good-natured telling-off from the others, along with the chance to redeem themselves the following week. The boys unanimously agreed that Dermot holds the title for the “worst bake so far” with his infamous egg custards, while Dom claims the most recent “best bake” with his Crunchie slices and Kinder cookie pies.

It was during a discussion about resilience and what it means to be an upstanding member of the community that the idea for a charity bake sale emerged. The choice of charity was an easy one: student Henry has lived with a heart condition since birth and has undergone multiple open-heart surgeries. Supporting the British Heart Foundation - specifically the Retford branch - felt personal and meaningful.

On Sunday 23rd November 2025, the boys set up their stall outside the British Heart Foundation shop during the Retford Christmas Lights switch-on. Their homemade bakes proved a huge hit with the local community, helping them hit - and exceed - their £1,000 fundraising goal.

In addition, the group secured support from the ASDA Community Fund - enabling them to obtain key ingredients for their bakes and giving them a strong boost toward their target.

“Everyone has a part to play,” said student Matt. “We are a team and we hold each other accountable. It’s one thing to all be friends, but being able to call out when someone is slipping up and still stay friends is really powerful.”

The funds raised will support the British Heart Foundation’s vital work, and the boys are already discussing what comes next. “This may be the end of the fundraising, as we now have to focus on our A levels and UCAS applications” said Matt “But it’s given me my own goals of what I want to do in my life. I’d also love to become a mentor and help inspire this kind of achievement in future students.”

Retford Oaks Academy sixth form invites students considering their post 16 options to apply for a place from September 2026. Visit https://www.retfordoaks-ac.org.uk/sixth-form/ or email [email protected] for more information.