Easter Chick Knit
Throughout the year we organise a number of fundraising campaigns that you join in. From knitting to golf days, there is something for everyone to have fun and get involved in.
Rachel Astill with the results of the Easter Knitted Chick appeal
Easter Chick Appeal
Every year, thousands of little woolly chicks flock into Francis House, 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 funds for the hospice.
Hundreds of knitters put their needles to work for Easter 2018, producing more than 40,000 chicks between them and helping the campaign to raise over £50,000!
Get involved now for 2019
Knitters
Put your needles to work and knit up as many little chicks as you can to donate to the appeal. Chicks can be as colourful as you please; the quirkier, the better! We also have a crochet pattern you can follow.
If you fancy something a little different this year, we now have a knitting pattern for Easter bunnies available!
I can't knit how can I get involved?
By collecting eggs! Every chick we receive needs pairing with a chocolate egg (Cadbury’s Crème Egg sized). Help us source the thousands we need by setting up a collection in your workplace, school or at home, by purchasing a box or two to drop off at the hospice, or by making a donation towards the cost of the eggs.
Can I sell chicks for you?
Yes, we are always looking for more venues to take an order of chicks to sell. Schools, nurseries, offices or shops can be great chick selling points and we will supply you with as many chicks as you want. We’ll also provide a collection tub and poster. Most of our chicks go ‘cheep’ at just £1.
Are there any other ways I can use my craft skills?
Some chicks arrive a little crumpled from their journey in the post or are too big to firmly hold an egg. Our ‘Chick Hospital’ needs volunteers to administer stitches, fix broken beaks or perform googly eye transplants.
Chick fixers can carry out a shift either on site in our fundraising office in Didsbury, or at home in your spare time. We will provide all the bits and bobs you will need.
Can my company get involved by helping with fulfilling orders?
Filling 40,000 plus chicks with a creme egg each can be very time-consuming for our small fundraising team. We need volunteers to fill chicks with eggs and count out orders in the run up to Easter. We’d also welcome help with delivering orders to many venues across Greater Manchester.
