Jane Gurr is a Kāpiti GB who can’t say no to a challenge.

She’d barely started baking for GBB when she was dared by a friend to bake her way through the alphabet. “I thought, right, challenge accepted.”

Starting with her second-ever bake for GBB, she’s turned her creative and caring brand toward increasingly more inventive goodies to give back to the Kāpiti community.

“I started with A – afghans!” she says. “And went from there.”

It’s taken her nearly 18 months (with a bit of a break for shoulder surgery), but last month she finally finished Z – zucchini muffins.

“I’m a passionate home baker,” Jane says, “and I just thought GBB was such a great little charity. If you enjoy doing something it’s easy to pay it forward!”

Jane’s been doing it so long she can’t remember them all, but her most memorable bakes of the challenge included W (wagon wheels), with lots of layers and steps, and E (eclairs) – she had to teach herself to make choux pastry!

“I do try to challenge myself a little bit,” Jane laughs. “The first time I made choux pastry I was trying to do quite small ones but they ended up being the size of my fist! Lesson learnt!”

Jane says the challenge has “made her think twice about what I can make, I love trying new things. But... if it doesn’t turn out, I will always turn to a Weet-Bix slice!”

Many of those following along with Jane’s bakes will be disappointed when the challenge ends. The “X-rated” bake was a highlight for many.

Jane doesn’t know what her friend will throw at her next – “I’m scared to ask!” she says.

The kitchen is Jane’s happiest place. “I get in on a Sunday afternoon, make my husband’s smoko for the week, treats for my elderly parents. A full baking tin gives us something to look forward to.

“I’m not really the biggest eater of my own baking but I love the homey smells, it reminds me of growing up. Mum was always baking for our morning teas. She’d bake all Sunday and hide the tins under the couch!”

Jane works full time as a project coordinator for Porirua City Council – it’s a big job, but it allows her some flexibility so she can bake and deliver for GBB once a month. “My managers think it’s lovely that you can pay it forward. We all know these recipient organisations do amazing jobs!”

“GBB is just amazing,” Jane says. “It really is. I love to spread the word – there’s no expectation of how often you bake, and I think that’s the glory of it. You can make volunteering work for you.”

Y is for yo-yos 🪀

M is for mandarin drizzle cake 🧡

V is for velvet cupcakes 🧁

J is for jam tarts 🍬