Swiss Re launches unique cookbook to raise vital funds for NSPCC

Esther Rantzen at the launch of the Swiss Re Cookbook. Photo: Theo Woods

Thursday, 12th July saw the launch of a unique cookbook created by leading global reinsurer Swiss Re to raise vital funds for children’s charity, the NSPCC, and its services – including ChildLine, the UK’s free, confidential 24-hour helpline and online service for children and young people.

The Swiss Re Cookbook for the NSPCC is edited by Tee Dobinson, Searcys’ official speaker on The Gherkin, who is known as “The Gherkin Guru” for her expert knowledge of the building and its views.

The cookbook contains recipes written by ChildLine founder Esther Rantzen CBE, broadcaster and journalist Fiona Bruce and Arnaud Stevens, Executive Head Chef of the Searcys restaurant located at the top of The Gherkin.  Other contributors include Swiss Re staff, including Swiss Re Group CEO Michel Liès.

Waterstones in Leadenhall Market, located minutes away from The Gherkin, hosted an exclusive signing of the book with ChildLine founder Esther Rantzen CBE, whose fish pie recipe features in the book.

Cookbook illustration by Amelie Higginbotham, age 6.

Eighty-two colourful pictures of The Gherkin add a unique element to the book. Each recipe has its own interpretation of the building painted, drawn or collaged by children from William Davis Primary School in Tower Hamlets.

Russell Higginbotham, CEO of Swiss Re UK, said: “The pictures of our iconic London headquarters add something very special to the book. As a full £10 from each book sold goes to the NSPCC, we felt that it was particularly apt to have it illustrated by children.”

The Swiss Re Group was founded in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1863.  Dealing direct and working through brokers, it is now leading wholesale provider of reinsurance, insurance and other insurance-based forms of risk transfer with a network of 60 offices across the globe.  Since 2011, Swiss Re has raised over £250,000 for the NSPCC through a wide range of fundraising initiatives, including the development of this cookbook.

Funds raised through the sales of The Swiss Re Cookbook will help fund both ChildLine and the NSPCC’s helpline for adults who are worried about a child or want advice, ensuring that round-the-clock support is available to those in need and helping to protect vulnerable children from abuse and neglect.  The helplines are just two of the projects which the NSPCC runs across the UK and Channel Islands to help vulnerable children.

Cookbook illustration by Yana Mahmood age 6.

The cookbook, priced at £12.99 with £10 from each book going to the NSPCC, is available from Waterstones in Leadenhall Market, London and online at www.nspcc.org.uk/buybooks.

•Children and young people can contact ChildLine on 0800 1111 or visit www.childline.org.uk.  If you have concerns about a child or young person, you can call the NSPCC on 0808-800 5000, text 88858 or visit www.nspcc.org.uk