Ever wanted to know what Justin Bieber's favourite dish is?

To find out and learn how to cook it, buy the recipe book put together by the pupils of room two at Renwick School.

The cookbook is to help their classmate Sophie Gilchrist's fight against leukaemia.

Sophie Gilchrist was diagnosed with leukaemia at Wairau Hospital during the school holidays. She is in Christchurch at the Ronald McDonald House with her parents Michelle and Bryan Gilchrist while she undergoes weekly chemotherapy treatment at the Christchurch Hospital children's cancer ward.

Sophie's teacher Sarah Tullett said the children understand she is very sick and needs strong medicine to get better, and her absence has left a gap in the classroom.

"We all miss her. She is a cool wee kid, she takes the new entrants under her wing, she's very caring," she said.

Apart from their own favourite recipes, the children came up with a list of celebrities who might be interested in contributing, from Nana to Justin Bieber.

Amelia Hansen, 5, visited Sophie in hospital when she was in Christchurch visiting her grandparents during the school holidays.

Her recipe contribution is a fluffy, which is bubbly milk with coloured sprinkles and icing sugar and "really yummy", she said.

"Everybody should buy our book because they will be able to make some delicious things," she said.

It will be available to buy from Renwick School in about two weeks.

Speaking from the Ronald McDonald House, Mrs Gilchrist said that although the last few weeks had been "full on", the support had been wonderful.

"Sophie has been amazingly brave and doing well at the moment, so we are feeling really positive," she said.

Meanwhile, the Renwick community is rallying together to raise money for Sophie.

Kelly Robertson is one of many school mothers who are organising a silent auction and fundraising dinner at Bamboo Garden, sausage sizzles and cake stalls.

They are happy with the support from businesses and the community, who have been generous with their donations, she said. "We are a very close-knit community who have met through our kids and stayed friends, and we're all on the same page, that's what you do for your friends."

Marlborough Day Spa personal trainer and instructor Matt Kay is donating all profits from his Female Fun Fitness classes for August.

- The Marlborough Express

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