A pub launches an Easter egg appeal to help families struggling to make ends meet

The Eagle and Child in Billinge Easter is aiming to donate 100 Easter eggs to the village’s St Aidan’s appeal which gives a food package and a treat to local families struggling financially.

St Aidan’s will be providing around 50 food parcels to families through schools in the area.

The Eagle and Child team has decided to help with this drive by asking for donations of Easter eggs so each child will have a special treat.

Pub owner Darren Blackshaw said: “Ideally, I’d love to get 100 Easter eggs because that means each family will receive three rather than one.”

The Eagle and Child is regularly involved in charity work for the local community, with a similar initiative taking place last Christmas with selection box donations and another project which involved collecting clothes for the homeless which saw over a dozen bags arrive at the pub.

Darren said: “I strive on community work and I have done all of my life. I give blood on a regular basis, I’ve helped out at a food shelter, and I’ve abseiled for charity. It’s always in my blood to help out.”

On the importance of this Easter egg drive, Darren said: “It’s just going to bring that little bit of relief for families.

"Not only will they be getting an Easter egg, but St Aidan’s is then going to give them a food package each.

"It lets them know that people do care. On top of that, the kids will be smiling because they’ve got Easter eggs and chocolate.”

So far, the Facebook announcement by the pub has received hundreds of hits and inquiries from people who are interested in dropping off Easter eggs for the appeal.

Darren said: “We’re doing it right up to Easter and they can come in anytime the pub is open. I’ve got a collection stand where they can put them in or they can just drop them off behind the bar.”

If you’re interested in dropping off an Easter Egg for the St Aidan’s drive, head down to the pub which can be found on Main Street.