Greater Anglia customers, staff and partners have donated 660 chocolate eggs and sweet treats to support children and families across Essex and Hertfordshire this Easter.
The donations were shared between The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow and the Enders Touch Foundation, helping to bring some cheer to young people receiving care and support over the Easter period.
Half of the items, including chocolate eggs, Lindt bunnies and sweets, were given to nurses and care staff on the children’s ward (Dolphin Ward) and the paediatric emergency department at The Princess Alexandra Hospital.
A staff raffle also raised a total of £275, which was used to purchase additional eggs and activity kits for children at the hospital.
The remaining donations were given to the Enders Touch Foundation, which supports children and families living in poverty. The foundation handed their donations to the Colchester Hospital children’s ward, St Helena’s Hospice, Lennox Children’s Cancer Fund and domestic abuse charity Next Chapter.
All donations were made by Greater Anglia customers and staff, alongside contributions from the company’s cleaning contractor Carlisle Support Services, building contractor Hollywell, and the Stansted Mountfitchet Scout Group.
Collections took place at Stansted Mountfitchet, Bishop’s Stortford, Sawbridgeworth, Harlow Mill and Harlow Town stations between 26 January and 22 March.
EASTER EGGS PIC
Above: Easter egg donations (Credit: Greater Anglia)
The donation scheme, which began in 2020, is organised by Michael King, a relief ticket office clerk at Sawbridgeworth and Stansted Mountfitchet stations.
Michael King, said:
“I am so thankful to everyone who donated this year to help bring a treat to those who need it most.
“The generosity shown has been incredible, and we hope these donations bring some joy to everyone receiving them.”
Natalie Tarrant, Head of The Princess Alexandra Charity, said:
“Being in hospital can be hard, but we know these lovely Easter treats and activity packs will help bring some cheer to young people in our care at this time of year.
“On behalf of The Princess Alexandra Charity, I would like to say a very big thank you to Michael, his colleagues and Greater Anglia’s customers for their generous donations.”
Nadia Nihat & Hassan Nihat, Directors & Founders of Enders Touch Foundation, said:
“We would like to give a huge thank you to everyone who donated the eggs to Greater Anglia, enabling us to receive them at the Enders Touch Foundation.
“It means that everyone on Colchester Hospital children’s ward and the charities we donated to have a little reason to smile this Easter.”
