MORE than 800 children burned off the calories from an excess of Easter eggs by looking for more in Saumarez Park yesterday morning. The Guernsey Friends of the Anthony Nolan Trust’s annual Easter Eggstravaganza was held for the first time 12 years ago.
The group has raised more than £100,000 to date to help expand the bone marrow register through tissue-typing clinics that are held locally and in the UK.
‘We have about 40 people locally who have donated bone marrow to sufferers which is quite a high percentage compared to other places,’ said treasurer Debbie Osborne.
Yesterday’s proceedings were open to children aged up to 10.
Each paid ‘2.50 in return for a collecting bag, which entitled the child to collect up to four of the more than 3,000 plastic eggs that were scattered around the park. Eggs were exchanged for confectionery goodie bags.
There 34 special eggs made of clear plastic with chicks inside. The finders of those received a chocolate Easter egg for their efforts.
The event had raised ‘16,000 over the previous four years and Mrs Osborne was hopeful that yesterday’s could have set a record. ‘Last year we sold 800 bags and there seems to be more people here this year,’ she said.
For the first time, the event had a sponsor with Mourant meeting all the costs of putting it on.
Friends chairman Nick Creed said it was a huge bonus in terms of fund-raising.
‘Without a sponsor, our overheads are quite high, so the trust relies on the generosity of companies and individuals to keep it going,’ he said.
It costs about ‘70 to recruit, tissue-type and maintain the records of new volunteers to the register.
Mourant accountant Richard Harland, 31, said employees who were involved with charities were invited to seek the company’s support.
‘We wanted to support something that supported the local aspect of a broader charity,’ he said.
Legal assistant Stephanie Setters, 24, became involved with the Friends in October when she was asked to help at a bingo night.
‘I overheard a conversation in the office and thought it would be a good idea to put the trust’s name forward.’
She hoped that the company and the trust might be able to work together in the future.
Article posted on 10th April, 2007 - 12.00am
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