The Bang Tidy Pie Company is more than just a maker of pie's. We are a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to supporting carers of terminally ill or dementia-stricken family members.

My name is Joseph Roberts (Joe) I'm raising funds to bring awareness to the struggles of people that care for loved ones with terminal illnesses, dementia and for people that struggle every day in silence due to grief when the caring that they so lovingly provide inevitably comes to an end.

The funds that are raised will help towards the ever increasing cost of ingredients needed for me to make pies that I simply give away in the hopes of a kind donation. Any extra funds will go towards respite awareness and support for carers, giving the ability to have an hour or two to themselves, simply to recharge and overcome emotions that build because of their circumstances or the pressures that day has given them.

I understand how emotionally draining the experience of caring for someone close can be, and the impact grief can cause after the care inevitably ends, respite is essential during your period of care, in my case at the time, if only to enable me to sit in my car and have a little cry to myself as a way of releasing emotions so others couldn't see my sadness, (some will understand how your car can be your go-to place when you need to break down in silence, when you don't want others to see you fall apart).

After the loss of my partner grief and what I now know as depression took hold and stopped me from engaging in every day tasks, even today, I can still struggle on occasion to manage the four simple tasks:

(1) Get up,

(2) Have a wash,

(3) Brush your hair,

(4) Get dressed,

(If you know, you know) The first steps to combat grief.

But on good days I make pie's,,.

A pie for the widow that sadly lost her dog, her companion that filled the void after the loss of her husband,,, just a kind gesture.

Pie's for the nurses that work the night shift at the dementia home,,, just a thank you for efforts made.

A pie for the ambulance driver sitting in the ambulance having a break waiting for the next call,,, your welcome.

Pie's ordered for the under 11's football team on a Saturday morning,,, maybe sausage rolls next time, children can be fussy.

It maybe just a pie to you!,, but it's a way of combating grief and a reason to start the day for me,,, and with your donations maybe help towards a Free tea or coffee and a meal in a café for someone who desperately needs a break.