A lady from Hunwick has opened her own ‘Fudge Cupboard’ in the village.
Vikki, a former school teacher, began her small enterprise as a way to cope with her grief after the death of her mother. She turned an enjoyable hobby of cooking into something that brings smiles to people from around the county.
After losing her mother in 2024, Vikki found herself struggling and seeking something positive to focus upon.
She said, “I’ve always loved cooking and baking, so I decided to challenge myself by making things I’d never tried before. One of those was fudge.
“I made batches for family and friends, never expecting anything more than seeing them enjoy it. But after tasting it, they all encouraged me to start selling it. At the end of 2024, I took a leap of faith and booked my first stall at a local Christmas fayre.”
Rather than keeping the money, Vikki donated all of the profits to The Red Bench Project, a charity that supports suicide prevention and promotes positive mental wellbeing.
“The response from people was incredible,” added Vikki. “People loved the fudge, and the encouragement I received gave me the confidence to continue.”
Since then, she has been attending local fairs and markets, meeting ‘wonderful people’ which is the main benefit.
Vikki explained, “It is the social aspect of it I enjoy the most. At some events, I don’t even cover the cost of the table but I meet so many lovely people that I don’t mind.”
Now, she has opened her own ‘Fudge Factory Shed’ in Hunwick, where people can visit to choose from a range of homemade fudge flavours. The shed is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and having the shed means that fudge is not wasted. Vikki’s Facebook page – Yes Please Fudge – keeps followers updated with opening times, new flavours and details of the fairs and markets Vikki will be attending.
“Looking back, it’s amazing to think that something which began as a way to support my own wellbeing has become such a big part of my life,” said Vikki. “Losing my Mam will always leave a huge space in my life, but creating my fudge factory has given me purpose, confidence and something positive to focus on. “I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported me along the way. Every person who has bought fudge, every kind word and every recommendation has helped turn a difficult chapter into a story of hope and resilience.”
