What is becoming an annual custom for Greater Anglia is continuing this year with customers in West Anglia being asked to donate chocolate treats so that sick children in hospital will have a reason to smile this Easter.

Michael King, a ticket office clerk at Sawbridgeworth and Stansted Mountfitchet stations, has been organising the donations since 2019.

Poster at Stansted Mountfitchet, Bishop’s Stortford, Sawbridgeworth, Harlow Mill, and Harlow Town stations invite passengers travelling through the stations to drop their chocolate treats off at the ticket offices any time until Sunday, 13th April.

Easter eggs and other goodies that have been collected from customers will be donated to the children’s ward at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow and the Enders Touch Foundation. Greater Anglia staff will also hold a raffle, with the proceeds going towards buying activity kits for the children.

Last year, Greater Anglia customers donated 623 Easter eggs, Lindt bunnies, Haribo sweets, and books, which was an improvement on 2023 when customers donated nearly 400 Easter eggs.

The annual appeal has taken place since 2019, but in 2020 the collections were donated to local food banks because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are always incredibly grateful for whatever donations our customers and colleagues can give us. Since the first collection in 2020, the project has grown and grown – it is always an amazing sight to see how many eggs we receive. If you are passing through one of the five stations, any Easter eggs, activity packs or other treats that you think children will like, will be gratefully received. I’m always blown away by everyone’s generosity and I can’t wait to see how we do this year.”

Michael King