Easter bunny surprises children at Tameside Children’s Hospital

On Friday 11th April Stagecoach and Tesco came together to donate easter eggs to children at Tameside Hospital Children’s Ward.

The decorated easter egg bus stopped outside the Children’s ward carrying the chocolates.

The staff from Stagecoach and Tesco were joined by special guest the Easter Bunny.

Stagecoach gathered 526 eggs through donations from bus drivers and other staff.

Christopher Liddle, an inspector at the Oldham depot, planned and collected all the egg donations for the hospital: “we start doing the Easter collection in about February, then we get in touch with Tesco, who help tremendously.

“Without Stagecoach and Tesco this wouldn’t ever happen. All in all, it’s been a grand day for us today.”

Lee Walker, general manager at Stagecoach Manchester also attended the afternoon: “Chris and a few of the staff at Stagecoach have got a few eggs together, all donations off drivers, and we’re here to drop the eggs off and make some kids happy for Easter.”

The easter bunny went around the ward and met some children and handed out Easter eggs.

Tesco collaborated with Stagecoach to also donate easter eggs to the ward.

Multiple Tesco’s from in and around Tameside are involved in the collection.

This year Tesco in Greenfield, Failsworth, Stalybridge and Gorton all helped out.

Liz and Emma from Tesco with some of the donations they received.

Liz Moore, community champions from Tesco Gorton, also collected donations for the hospital: “we had a trolley set up at the front of a few of our stores, and we had chocolate egg donations from our customers, and we also got colouring books and pens also that customers donated.

“We got over 200 eggs for the children’s hospital.”

Some of the children came out to the bus with staff from the hospital to have a look at the Easter egg bus and meet the Easter Bunny.

Of course, all the children received a chocolate egg from the bunny as well!

Vicky, one of the children’s wards play specialists came out with the children to enjoy the afternoon: “the children go through such a traumatic experience when they’re on the ward and they have so many tests done and it’s a traumatic experience for the family as well.

“To be able to have visitors like Chris and Stagecoach come it just gives a little bit of happiness into their day.”

Laura, another of Tameside hospitals play specialists told us: “It’s a really important thing to do to brighten up the kid’s experiences, and it really does make a difference, and Chris works so hard all year round not just at Easter to collect donations, but he also gives a huge amount just buy himself, and it’s really appreciated.”

The play specialists are in charge of making sure that the children and their families feel okay about procedures and surgery as well as making sure the hospital has a more child friendly atmosphere.

Rob Jones, MD at Stagecoach Manchester said: "All children deserve an Easter Egg at Easter, especially those who may be away from home over the long weekend.

“I’m really proud of Christopher for all his hard work and all our team at Oldham for their generous donations to support the local community which we serve as part of the Bee Network.”

Additionally, Stagecoach employees at Oldham raised £375 in an Easter raffle for Springhill Hospice in Rochdale.

Chris and the teams at Stagecoach and Tesco also donated to three local charities; Springhill Hospice, Macmillan, and Newlife, who all received their Easter Eggs on the 11th of April.

Additionally, Stagecoach employees at Oldham raised £375 in an Easter raffle for Springhill Hospice in Rochdale.

Vicki Barnett, Corporate and Partnerships Fundraiser said “We were thrilled to receive a donation from Stagecoach’s raffle as it will help fund our services but for me the Easter Eggs we were given are just as important. It means patients can be made to feel a little bit special with an egg of their own or one to share with their loved ones, and any way we can help create some special moments for them is always hugely appreciated. The little things can often make the biggest difference.

Overall, it was a lovely day thanks to Tesco, Stagecoach and of course the Easter bunny!