Anthony McPartlin & Declan Donnelly spent £110,000 to rebuild an orphan boy’s family bakery — but it’s the opening day sign that makes people cry…
After the boy’s mother died, Nelly’s Treats was closed for nine months. Ant & Dec not only restored it, they invited the mayor to open it. On the wooden board outside the shop is a message written by the boy himself: “Mum, I’m still baking with you.”
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The Heart of Nelly’s Treats
In the bustling streets of Newcastle upon Tyne, where the scent of fresh bread once wafted from a small family bakery called Nelly’s Treats, a story of loss and love unfolded. The bakery, a cornerstone of the community, had been shuttered for nine months after the death of its owner, Sarah, a single mother whose warmth and pastries had brightened many lives. Her 14-year-old son, Liam, was left orphaned and heartbroken, sent to live with a distant aunt while the bakery stood silent, its ovens cold. But in the autumn of 2025, Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, the beloved Geordie duo Ant and Dec, stepped in to change that story, pouring their hearts and £110,000 into rebuilding Liam’s family legacy.
The journey began when Ant and Dec, known for their charity work, heard about Liam through a local community center. During a visit to support disadvantaged youth, they met the quiet, determined boy who spoke of his mother’s bakery with a mix of pride and sorrow. Sarah had taught Liam to knead dough, ice cakes, and greet customers with a smile, dreaming he’d one day take over. Her sudden passing from illness left those dreams in tatters. Moved by Liam’s resolve to honor his mother, Ant and Dec vowed to bring Nelly’s Treats back to life.
The duo launched a fundraising campaign, tapping into their vast network and sharing Liam’s story on social media. Donations flooded in—small contributions from neighbors, larger sums from fans, and support from local businesses. The £110,000 raised covered a full renovation: new ovens, modern counters, and a cozy seating area, all designed to preserve the bakery’s original charm. They hired local artisans to restore the vintage sign above the door, its gold lettering gleaming once more. Ant and Dec also arranged for Liam to train with a master baker, ensuring he could carry on his mother’s recipes.
As opening day approached, the community buzzed with anticipation. Ant and Dec invited the mayor of Newcastle to cut the ribbon, turning the event into a celebration of resilience and hope. The bakery was transformed, its shelves stocked with Sarah’s signature scones, jam tarts, and crusty loaves, all recreated from her handwritten recipe book. Liam, now 15, worked alongside the staff, his hands steady as he shaped dough, a quiet tribute to his mother’s teachings.
On the morning of the grand reopening, a crowd gathered outside Nelly’s Treats. The mayor arrived, joined by Ant and Dec, who beamed like proud uncles. Liam stood nervously by the door, clutching a small wooden board. As the ribbon was cut and cheers erupted, all eyes turned to the sign he unveiled outside the shop. In careful, heartfelt handwriting, it read: “Mum, I’m still baking with you.”
The words hit like a wave. The crowd fell silent, then erupted in tearful applause. For Liam, the sign was more than a message—it was a promise to his mother, a way to keep her spirit alive in every loaf he baked. Ant, wiping his eyes, said, “This lad’s got more heart than all of us combined.” Dec added, “Sarah’s looking down, so proud of you, Liam.” The mayor, visibly moved, declared Nelly’s Treats a “beacon of Newcastle’s spirit.”
Inside, the bakery hummed with life. Customers filled the tables, savoring pastries that tasted of love and memory. Liam moved between the counter and the kitchen, his shy smile growing with each kind word. Neighbors shared stories of Sarah—her laughter, her generosity, her knack for knowing when someone needed a free bun. Children from Liam’s school stopped by, leaving drawings to decorate the walls. A local journalist captured the day, writing, “Nelly’s Treats isn’t just a bakery—it’s a home, rebuilt by a boy’s love and a community’s heart.”
Ant and Dec stayed all day, serving tea and chatting with customers. They’d also set up a fund with leftover donations to support Liam’s education and the bakery’s future, ensuring its ovens would never go cold again. As the sun set, Liam approached the duo, his voice steady but soft. “You didn’t just give me the bakery back,” he said. “You gave me my mum back, in a way.” Dec pulled him into a hug, while Ant ruffled his hair, both too choked up to speak.
The story of Nelly’s Treats spread far beyond Newcastle, inspiring others to rally around their own communities. The bakery became a gathering place, where people shared stories over warm bread and Liam’s quiet strength shone. For Ant and Dec, it was a reminder of why they used their platform—to lift up those like Liam, whose love could turn loss into something beautiful.