It’s that time of year again when the Middleton family will lighten the workload of the Easter Bunny by distributing chocolate eggs to the sick and vulnerable children around Cork and Dublin.
The family are calling on the people of Cork to avail of the 3 for €5 Euro offer now in many shops and are asking for cuddly toys for those who can’t eat chocolate.
The appeal, which is now in its 8th year, was started by Michael and Catherine Middleton from Ringaskiddy. Their son Liam was diagnosed with liver disease in February 2010. Liam spent time in Cork University Hospital and Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin. When his condition deteriorated Liam – who will soon be 14 – was airlifted by Government jet to Kings College Hospital, London, where he received lifesaving surgery.
Touched by the level of care and support their son received while in hospital, Michael and Catherine wanted to say thank you. Hence, they started the Easter Egg Appeal and have since then collected thousands of eggs to give to children in hospitals across Cork and Dublin as well as special needs schools.
Local pharmaceutical plant GlaxoSmithKline in Currabinny play a big part in the appeal. They donate €1,000 to purchase Easter eggs every year as well as finance the cost of delivery of the eggs and they provide a stand in their Currabinny site to which employees can donate their eggs also, which normally exceed over 400 eggs each year. A big thank you also to the contractors who donated loads of eggs.
Some of the employees also put on a musical performance for the kids in Cope Foundation and local hospitals, dressing up as nurses and doctors along with the Easter Bunny himself. Other local companies, Otterbox and RCI donate eggs each year themselves from their employees as well there is great support from TruColour Paints in Carrigaline, and Man O Mano, who donate a great amount each year also.
The Middletons say; “We as a family, along with the Easter Bunny and his helpers, will be distributing the Easter Eggs to children’s wards at CUH, Mercy University Hospital, the South Infirmary, the Bons Secours, Crumlin and Temple Street hospitals, the Cope Foundation, the Cork Deaf Association, Children’s Leukaemia, Enable Ireland, Lota, St. Gabriel’s Special School, Sonas Special School, Shine Special School, Edel House, The John Birmingham Centre, and Rebel Wheelers.
The Middleton’s make special mention of Barry Collin’s SuperValu, Carrigaline, who have very kindly given 1,000 Easter eggs directly to the appeal at €1 each, even better than their usual offer of 3 for €5.
Shanbally National School, which Liam attends, plays a big role in the appeal. As well as donating eggs from each pupil, each class has been asked by the Easter Bunny to guess the amount of eggs collected this year for the appeal with a prize of a chocolate egg for the closest winner in each class.
Easter Eggs can be dropped off at the various local points; The Carrigdhoun Newspaper Carrigaline, Man O Mano Barbershop Carrigaline, TruColour Paints Carrigaline, Imij Hair Salon Crosshaven, Fitzies Crosshaven, The Douglas Post, or Kool Kidz in Shanbally.
The family can be contacted on 087-1218152 or through their Facebook page; Cork Children’s Easter Egg Appeal.
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The Easter Bunny, launching the Cork Children’s Easter Egg Appeal on Monday at The Carrigdhoun offices, Carrigaline.
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