YOUNGSTERS living in care and deprived families across South Gloucestershire are in store for a chirpy Easter weekend after the community got behind an Egg Appeal.
The Ship Inn, in Alveston, has run an Easter Egg appeal for the past nine-years and says its latest appeal is the most successful to date.
The 15th century Tudor Coaching Inn has received 356 chocolate eggs which are being distributed to Bristol Children's Services.
Landlady Donna Telford says the aim of the appeal is to bring festive cheer and put smiles on underprivileged youngsters' faces over Easter.
Donna, 48, said: "I have run pubs for 24-years and have always organised worthy causes raising thousands of pounds, as I feel it's important to support the local community.
"The highlight in our fundraising calendar for me is our toy and Easter egg appeals, which help children across Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
"I feel like I am attached to these children having run similar appeals in the past and I would feel devastated if I let the children down.
"Thankfully though everyone has been extremely generous this year and donated more eggs than ever before including Patchway-based financial services company Friends Life, whose staff kindly donated 243 eggs alone."
The eggs were collected by Children's Services yesterday (Thursday) ready for distribution over the Easter period.
Deborah Whitcliffe, Practice Manager in the Child Care Community Team at South Gloucestershire Council, said: "We are very grateful to Donna for organising the egg appeal, which will benefit many young people.
"On behalf of all the young people who will benefit from her work, I'd like to say a big thank-you to everyone involved."
