Alder Hey renews appeal for ‘virtual’ eggs to make Easter egg-stra special for patients

Alder Hey has renewed its appeal for donations of ‘virtual’ eggs to make sure all its patients can have an egg-stra special Easter.

Alder Hey has been inundated with chocolate eggs to hand out on Easter Sunday, but it’s still asking people to consider buying a Virtual Easter Egg for just £2 each to ‘help us to make a massive difference’ to everyone.

Cath Harding, Head of Community Fundraising for Alder Hey, says:

“We have already received more than 3,000 chocolate eggs which is incredible, and we are very grateful.

“We’d love to thank all the generous supporters who have donated them.”

Many of the eggs will be distributed to the wards on Easter Sunday and the others will be given to ‘our brave young patients’ who are attending Alder Hey during the Easter holidays.

But not all patients are able to eat those that have been given.

“As lots of our young patients have restricted diets, not all of them are able to enjoy chocolate eggs.

“But the purchase of even one of our virtual eggs will mean we can provide alternative Easter presents for babies and children who can’t have chocolate, as well as help us to continue to deliver ‘magic’ all year round.” Cath adds: “We would also appreciate donations of jelly sweets, for the renal patients, and some that are halal.”

She says families, visitors and staff regularly say there is a special feeling when they walk in to Alder Hey.

It’s one that new mums Chloe and Lauren Campbell, from Wigan, certainly felt when they were in the hospital with their 10-month-old son Corbin just weeks ago.

Corbin ended up in intensive care for five days after suffering from bronchiolitis and rhinovirus, along with a chest infection, that left him with breathing difficulties.

Chloe and Lauren Campbell with baby Corbin

Chloe, 27, says: “The care that we received, and the support we had, was just amazing; it’s an incredible hospital and it was a real eye opener for us as to what Alder Hey is all about.

“The nurses were amazing; the whole experience was beyond anything we were expecting.”

Chloe and Lauren have collected around 400 Easter Eggs, 20 soft teddies, 50 baby cardigans, and set up an Easter fundraiser for the hospital on their Instagram account @homeiswhat_youmakeit.

“We just wanted to give something back to the hospital for what they did for Corbin, and us, and to say thank you.”

“That is the ‘magic’,” say Cath, and when we all pull together we can help make hospital life brighter for our brave young patients.

“From ward musicians, comics, and art workshops to entertainment and the latest distraction technology, we strive to provide the best patient experience possible, even at the most difficult of times.

“The donations from the Virtual Easter Eggs enable us to help fund that Alder Hey magic.”