A traditional bakery in Dénia has launched a charity cake inspired by a three-year-old local boy living with an ultra-rare disease, with all profits going towards research and treatment.

Verdú Artesanos introduced “The best cake in the world” this week in support of Luca, a young boy diagnosed with IFAP syndrome, a condition so rare it affects around one person in a million. The initiative quickly gained attention across the Marina Alta region for combining local gastronomy with fundraising for a family facing enormous medical costs.

A cake inspired by Luca’s favourite things

The cake was created by master artisan Álvaro Verdú after speaking directly with Luca about the flavours he loved most. According to the bakery, the child requested “popcorn, caramel and a balloon,” which became the unusual inspiration behind the dessert. The result is a colourful cake designed not only as a sweet treat but also as a symbol of solidarity and hope for families living with rare diseases.

Luca’s parents have spent years trying to raise awareness of IFAP syndrome through social media and fundraising campaigns. Through their Instagram account, they document the daily challenges of the condition while also trying to connect with other affected families and researchers.

100 per cent of profits go to research

The bakery confirmed that all profits from sales of the cake will be donated directly to research and treatment linked to IFAP syndrome. The campaign also aims to expand beyond Dénia through online orders and partnerships with local restaurants and influencers supporting the cause.

According to reports, Luca’s family currently faces annual medical and research-related costs of around €70,000. Treatments involve regular visits to specialised hospitals and research institutions including centres in Valencia and Murcia. During the presentation of the initiative, Luca’s mother Cristina described the dessert as “the best cake” not simply because of its flavour, but because of “its solidarity and hope.”

Dénia rallies behind local family

The campaign has already attracted support from businesses and residents across the area, with many praising the initiative as an example of community solidarity in Dénia.

The cake is available both at Verdú Artesanos in Dénia and through a dedicated online shop serving customers across mainland Spain. The campaign will continue until June 19, with organisers hoping to raise significant funds while also increasing visibility for rare diseases that often struggle to receive public attention or institutional funding

Families in Ondara faced disruptions this week after the municipal nursery school operated under minimum services during the regional strike affecting the 0-3 education sector across the Valencian Community.

The strike, held on Wednesday, May 7, formed part of wider protests by early childhood education professionals demanding better working conditions, lower classroom ratios and more institutional support for one of the most underfunded areas of the education system.

Reduced timetable affected families

The Ondara Town Hall’s Education Department informed families that the Escoleta Infantil Municipal would remain open only during the subsidised timetable established by the Valencian regional government. The centre operated from 9am to 12pm and from 3pm to 5pm, while additional services including the early morning “matinera” programme and school dining service were suspended for the day.

Officials explained that these extra services are funded by the local council rather than the Generalitat Valenciana and therefore were not included in the legally required minimum service provisions during the strike. Families were left to decide whether or not to send their children to the centre under the altered conditions.

Nursery workers demand better conditions

The strike highlighted growing frustration among nursery school educators across the region. Workers and unions have argued that the current system leaves staff overstretched and underpaid, while limiting the quality of care children receive during a crucial developmental stage.

Among the main demands are reduced student-to-teacher ratios, greater public investment, more specialised support staff and the introduction of “educational pairs” in classrooms to improve attention and safety.

The mobilisation formed part of a broader regional campaign pushing for structural reforms in early childhood education, which many professionals say has long been overlooked despite its importance in child development.

Ondara staff had already raised concerns

The situation had already sparked debate locally before the strike took place. Just days earlier, workers from the municipal nursery school addressed the local council during a plenary session, raising concerns about ageing facilities, heavy workloads and emotional exhaustion among staff. The council publicly expressed support for the workers’ demands and pledged to continue advocating for improvements in the sector.

Across Spain, the strike reflected wider tensions within early childhood education. National reports suggested strong participation in the protests, with many educators warning that poor salaries and difficult working conditions are making the profession increasingly unsustainable.

For many parents in Ondara, the day served as a reminder of how dependent families are on childcare services and how disruptions in the sector quickly affect daily life, work schedules and family organisation.