An eggscellent record amount of Easter eggs has been given out by a local fundraising group.
Play2Give, a fundraising organisation founded by Didcot’s Andy Baker in 2007, has delivered more than 430 eggs in a record breaking Easter appeal.
The Didcot group, who in 2020 collected 200 eggs, has more than doubled that this time round with eggs bringing smiles to the faces of children in hospital, those with disabilities and foster children in care.
Thanks to the second success of this year’s appeal where 439 eggs was received, the fundraisers intend on doing the same again next year.
Founder Andy, who in February marked twenty years in fundraising for local causes, said: “We thought we might get up to 200 eggs. So to totally go above and beyond that and more than double what we raised in donations two years ago, and especially with the crisis in Ukraine particularly at the forefront of people’s minds currently, it is absolutely overwhelming.
“We will definitely look to run our appeal for a third year after such an eggscellent drive this time round and with such tough economic times as well, the amazing generosity we continue to receive all year round from our community never fails to amaze.”
“We did our deliveries on Monday and Matt’s car was full to the brim that we had to deliver another 60 eggs separately for the children in hospital as we didn’t have room for them!”
“We would like to say an enormous thank you to everyone who donated to this year’s appeal, they certainly have spread Easter cheer joy and smiles. It is heartwarming.”
Oxford Children’s Hospital received 200 eggs and SSNAP, the charity supporting siblings and families of seriously ill babies in the neonatal care unit of the JR, received 150. The eggs were delivered on April 11 by Andy and community officer, Matthew Norris.
Oxfordshire Foster Care Association, Viking House and Thomley also received donations. Helen and Douglas House received some chocolate bunnies and Easter colouring packs.
Donations came from the community including staff and members of Pure Gym in Didcot, the Space Store in Didcot, GSF Car Parts Oxford and the Horse and Harrow in West Hagbourne.
The group was recently honoured with a community champions award by the Mayor of Didcot, Mocky Khan, at the town council’s awards evening. In September Play2Give will officially turn fifteen years old and over ÂŁ4,500 has been raised this year thanks in part to their most successful ever gala ball held in March.
To find out more about Play2Give, visit play2give.org.uk
