Invite guests well in advance – Set a date and time when you’ll get the maximum number of friends, family and colleagues involved.

Plan your menu –Which foods will you serve? Will you keep it simple or go to town? Tea party favourites include sandwiches, scones, cakes, sweets and fruit. Decide in advance which tea you’ll serve too.

Add extra sparkle – Charging for tea and cake aren’t the only ways to raise money. How about holding a raffle, treasure hunt, best bake competition, herbal tea taste test or second-hand book sale, too?

Invite a celebrity – Invite along a local celebrity, your mayor or local TD. This could bring in the crowds and help you to raise even more money.

Bring out your best tea service – Set a lovely table and bring out your teacups, saucers and infusers, together with small spoons, forks, plates and napkins.

Thank your guests – Follow up by letting your guests know how much you’ve raised and how it will help to fund vital research to find the cure for type 1 diabetes.

Send in the money you raised

Remember to return the money you’ve raised to Diabetes Ireland.  You can do this:

• ONLINE: It’s really simple to pay in your money online – just fill in the quick donation form at ie/donate
• BY POST: If you’d prefer to send a cheque (no cash in the post please) don’t forget to add a note to tell us who you are, what you did and where you held your event. Please send your cheque and note to Diabetes Ireland, 19 Northwood House, Northwood Business Campus, Santry, Dublin 9.
• AT THE BANK: Lodge at your local bank to the Diabetes Ireland account: Account Name – Diabetes Federation of Ireland. Bank Name – Bank of Ireland. Bank Address – O’Connell Street, Dublin 1. Sort Code – 90-00-33. Account # – 94748473.

Share your photos and stories – We’d love to hear how your tea party goes. Please share your photos and stories on our social media pages: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. Or email them to [email protected] 

Enjoy your tea party and thank you for your support!