A dad who has two children with life-threatening nut allergies has recalled how "helpless and anxious" he felt when his kids were diagnosed, as he constantly worried he wouldn't be able to do enough to protect them.
Mike Woods, 58, and his wife Karen are parents to three children - Jamilla, Danika and Rourke - and were left devastated when two of them were diagnosed with their allergies at aged four and two.
The dad said their diagnosis was a "frightening time" for the family, and his life became "a mission to keep the kids safe" as he constantly had to watch what they were eating.
Speaking to The Mirror, Mike said: "Out of my three children, two have severe nut allergies. They were diagnosed at just four and two years old which was a frightening time. As a father it makes you feel quite helpless and anxious. Our lives suddenly became a mission to keep the kids safe and alive, and you worry you can't protect them enough. You just want the best for your children!"
As his children got older, Mike realised one of the most difficult things for them to cope with in relation to their allergies was birthday parties, as they were unable to enjoy a simple slice of birthday cake.
The dad said his children were "isolated and excluded" from their friends' birthday parties as a result, and it compelled him to do something about it - so he started his own cake company to ensure there was always a nut-free option for his kids and the other 2 million people in the UK living with an allergy.
Mike founded the Just Love Food Company in 2009, and said the brand's goal is to make sure birthdays and special occasions can be celebrated regardless of people's dietary requirements.
He explained: "Seeing my two young children isolated and excluded from sharing the cake at birthday parties and celebrations due to their allergies made me feel compelled to do something. It was at a time when there were no alternative options available in supermarkets and I wanted to ensure they were invited and included in all usual celebrations with friends and family, either at home or at school.
"Starting Just Love felt like my contribution to our children's well-being, and subsequently to any of the 2 million people in the UK living with an allergy. It's harder and harder to make celebrations truly inclusive but it's important for us that we help make birthdays and special occasions something that can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of dietary requirements."
Just Love Food Company started off as a nut-free brand, but now serves products with 13 of the top 14 allergens removed, and makes around 6,000 cakes a day.
Mike said his company's goal is to become the "most inclusive cake brand" so that everyone can enjoy a sweet treat for a special occasion without having to scrutinise the packaging.
To mark Allergy Awareness Week between April 24 and April 30, Just Love Food Company has launched a brand-new Confetti Traybake with no nuts, no milk, and no eggs.
The vanilla-flavoured traybake cake covered in multi-coloured sugar pieces serves nine, and retails at £6. The cake will be available from Tesco and Asda.
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