Every year, thousands of little woolly chicks flock into Francis House Children’s Hospice, knitted by crafty supporters from across the world.
The chicks are then filled with a donated chocolate egg each and sold in schools, stores and businesses all over Greater Manchester to raise vital funds for the hospice.
Chicks In Demand
The idea came from a hospice volunteer eighteen years ago, who began knitting chicks and selling them in her local school. The demand for chicks became so great that more and more knitters were recruited to help, and in 2013 the plea went out in several national knitting magazines, helping to recruit many more knitters from across the country. Since then, the appeal has become bigger and better every year.
Hundreds of knitters put their needles to work for Easter 2018, producing more than 40,000 chicks between them and helping the campaign raise over £51,000!
This year, the charity is hoping to get more people involved with the appeal than ever before.
Knitters and crocheters are invited to download a pattern from www.francishouse.org.uk/easter-knit-a-chick-appeal/ or request a copy by calling 0161 443 2200. Completed chicks need to be received by March 25, 2019, giving them enough time to fly the nest and find new homes before Easter.
Don’t Knit? No Problem!
Non-knitters can support the appeal by helping to source the tens of thousands of Creme Eggs needed to fill each chick. Eggs can be dropped off at the hospice in South Manchester, or a donation can be made towards their cost. The eggs are ideally needed by March 25, 2019.
Francis House is also seeking support from anyone local to the hospice who could assist with selling chicks at work or at school, filling the chicks with eggs and/or delivering orders in the run up to Easter.
To find out more, please contact Rachel Astill on 0161 443 2200 or email rachel.astill@francishouse.org.uk.
Alex Corlett I am the "Friend's" Features Editor, working with the talented Features Team to bring you everything from cryptic crosswords to financial advice, knitting patterns to international travel and inspirational real life stories. Always on the hunt for a new feature idea, I also enjoy cycling and love a good tea room.
