Kind-hearted Ryan shortlisted for Pride of Britain award

30 September 2020

RYAN Bogues, the local baker with the biggest heart in the land, has been shortlisted in the Pride of Britain Awards.

The Teconnaught man has touched many hearts for the last four years with his generous baking for charity and was lauded by Prime Minister Boris Johnston last year.

The 26 year-old, who has Down’s Syndrome, created Ryan’s Cookie Box initiative as a way of allowing others to enjoy his love of home baking traybakes, buns, cakes and biscuits.

He puts out a selection of his bakes in a box outside his home for callers who then make a generous donation for charity which also covers the costs of his next bake.

Ryan, supported by his mother, Hazel, and his family, has raised over £40,000 for a variety of local and regional charities.

Even during lockdown, Ryan continued to bake, providing hampers to local NHS workers and other key workers to lift their spirits.

The achievement of being involved in the major UK awards for people which “celebrate the achievements of truly remarkable people who make our world a better place”.

Hazel told the Recorder: “This has been a totally unexpected but lovely surprise for Ryan. We didn’t even know he was nominated so then to learn he has shortlisted is just lovely.

“UTV came out film Ryan who explained what he does and that piece was broadcast on Monday night. There will be other interviews for with other people who have been shortlisted for their fundraising.

“I think the winner will be announced by the end of the week but as far as I’m concerned everyone who is shortlisted are winners. It’s so nice to think that people support Ryan and what he is doing so much.”

She added that Ryan devotes around 30 hours each week to his baking and the family decide a monthly theme for the bakes — with this month’s being inspired by Downton Abbey.

The Pride of Britain Awards are normally televised on ITV but this year it will be a virtual event on social media.

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