Chicks bring Easter cheer to Francis House

Knitters and the community unites in 2026 knitted chick appeal.

Woman Maria Dunbobbin sat in a pile of thousands of colourful knitted chicks — Volunteer Maria Dunbobbin joined hundreds of knitters in supporting the chick appeal. Picture: William Lailey / SWNS

Francis House Children’s Hospice has seen a flurry of activity of the woolly kind as more than 32,000 knitted chicks and bunnies flocked through the Hospice doors during a whirlwind run up to Easter.

Supporters up and down the country sent in their handcrafted broods and the staff and volunteers at the Didsbury based hospice filled the chicks with tens of thousands of donated chocolate eggs.

Star knitter Maria Dunbobbin from Cheadle, single-handedly crafted 1,200 character chicks. Every chick is then sold to raised vital funds.

With the help of the community contributing to volunteering, collecting eggs, selling and buying chicks, the Easter Knitted Chick Appeal raised £95,000 last year. The charity that provides services to support families of children and young adults with life-limiting conditions is hoping to surpass this in 2026.

A group of people standing behind a large table covered with boxes of Cadbury's creme eggs

Two women holding boxes of knitted chicks sat behind a table

Rachel Nasiri tips a large bag of knitted chicks on the floor next to Maria Dunbobbin sat surrounded by knitted chicks and bunnies

Volunteers sit around a big table full of boxes of chicks and chocolate eggs

Students in school uniform stand in line outside Francis House holding creme egg boxes

A woman and a man stand beside an open car boot loaded with crates of Easter Chicks and fundraising buckets

Two women stand behind a stall selling chicks in a shopping centre

A young woman sits cross legged in her living room, surrounded by boxes full of Easter chicks

A woman stands outside Francis House holding a box in each hand, one containing lots of knitted lambs and the other knitted bunnies

A young boy sits in front of lots of knitted chicks whilst demonstrating how to fit an egg inside a chick

Children in school uniform pose with giant knitted chicks amongst boxes full of Creme Eggs

Joanne Farrell, landlady at Robinsons partner pub the Windsor Castle in Marple Bridge, drove a tireless campaign to collect 5,027 Creme Eggs – a record-breaking contribution.

Volunteers Barbara Allwood and Joan Thrussell opened hundreds of parcels as well as lovingly repaired chicks with missing eyes and wonky beaks.

Rachel Nasiri, fundraising officer of Francis House said: “The incredible support we receive for our Easter Chick Appeal never ceases to amaze us. Although funds are still being rounded up, it’s on track to be one of our best years yet!”

The Easter campaign makes a big difference to Francis House. With daily running costs of more than £15,900, the charity relies on ventures like this to support more than 435 families from across Greater Manchester. For more information on the appeal visit francishouse.org.uk/easter-knit-a-chick-appeal