Some of their delicious cup cakes.

Two friends will next week be baking a spoonful of Christmas cheer into some cupcakes to lift the spirits of young patients at Mater Dei Hospital.

Baker Fran Farrugia and chef Sean Gravina are organising a brunch for some 50 children who on Christmas Eve will be receiving treatment at Mater Dei and the Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre.

The idea for this special treat popped into Mr Gravina’s mind as his thoughts drifted beyond a movie he was watching last Christmas.

However, it was too late to cook up a brunch that year, and instead, the 29-year-old teamed up with his friend Fran to launch an appeal on social media. They called on supermarkets, businesses and suppliers to help them out with the food, and the response was “overwhelming”.

Their families can, if only briefly, forget about the tough time they are going through

Speaking to this newspaper just a few days after their appeal on Facebook, the two said they had already been supplied with the ingredients they required for the menu they had drawn up. Together with a savoury egg bake, which is similar to an omelette, they will be preparing some gluten-free cupcakes and waffles with chocolate sauce or honey.

Apart from the ingredients, supplied by Stork and Arkadia Foodstore, Radisson Blu has also made one of its kitchens available for the two friends, where they will be able to prepare the food.

They have also received a sum of money to buy a television, a video game console and other gadgets for the children’s wards to help them pass the time.

The two are now appealing for gifts that can be handed out to every child.

“This is not a charity event, but rather an activity where children can be children and their families can, if only briefly, forget about the tough time they are going through,” Ms Farrugia, 22, said.

If the event is successful, the two would like to turn this into a yearly activity.

Those who would like to sponsor gifts can find out more information from chef@seangravina.com