MORE than 260 disadvantaged children in Portsmouth will receive an egg this Easter thanks to an egg-normous response to an appeal

organised by a city church.

Canon Bob White, vicar of St Mary’s presents the eggs to Mel Goddard, family services manager at The Roberts Centre, with Roberts Centre staff (left to right) Hayley Baldacchino, Lauren Barrett, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Batchelor and Danielle Bennett.

St Mary’s Church in Fratton Road was aiming to collect 270 eggs – enough for each of the children and young people supported by The Roberts Centre in Landport – but they were egg-static when more than 350 were donated.

Donations came from other churches in the city and local area, individuals and local businesses.

The Roberts Centre works to support and improve the lives of families facing homelessness, family breakdown or difficult times.

Mel Goddard, the centre’s family services manager, was delighted to receive the eggs and thanked all those who had donated.

“Imagine what it would feel like to not be able to give your child or grandchild something as simple as an Easter egg when everyone else around you is celebrating Easter by exchanging eggs,” she said.

“That is the reality for the families that we support. Choices need to be made and when they are struggling to pay the rent or put food on the table, buying an Easter egg is just not a priority so to receive these Easter eggs is just amazing.

“We will be able to make sure that each of the children and young people that we support will receive an egg this Easter.

“We support these families long term through really difficult times and it is just lovely to be able to share the special joy of Easter with them too. This will make such a difference to them.

“I’d like to say a massive ‘thank you’ to everyone who has given an egg. It might seem small to you but to these children it will be massive. No words can explain just how grateful we are.”

Vicar of St Mary’s, Canon Bob White, said: “It has been an amazing response to a simple idea and once again reflects the generosity and care shown by so many people to all in our community

“For us this year an Easter Egg has also become a symbol of our commitment to support others.”