Firm donations touch the spot (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Firm donations touch the spot

SWINDON firms have been generous this Easter, giving away chocolate eggs to youngsters from across the area.

Staff at Zurich in the town centre have collected more than 1,200 Easter eggs for disadvantaged children in and around Swindon.

Of the eggs collected, 800 of those were sent to social services to give to children in their care.

In addition another 500 were sent to other organisations across the town including Swindon Young Carers Group the adults and children who attend the Welcome Centre play scheme, hostels for homeless families including Underwood House, Swindon People First and some of the organisations supporting older people in the town.

Tony Martin, manager of the Swindon Community involvement programme at Zurich said: "This is an annual event at Zurich. We ask all the staff to bring in Easter eggs from home or donate money to buy them.

"We really were not sure whether we would beat last year's record of 1,200 eggs but we smashed it with 1,506 eggs, it has really been excellent."

Meanwhile, the staff at Kelly Services in Regent Street have handed over a mountain of Easter eggs to children's charity NSPCC.

With the help and support of local companies including Triumph International, GWC, Actebis, Kembrey Wiring, Wilson Tools, Henkel Ecolab and the Learning and Skills Council along with a enthusiastic response from temporary workers, a mountain of over 550 eggs was created.

"We are delighted that the Appeal had such an enthusiastic response," said Claire Bishop-Apsey, Manager of Kelly's Swindon branch.

"We just want to thank everyone who helped us to collect such a wonderful selection of eggs which have now been distributed to family centres in Penhill and Old Town."

aosborne@newswilts.co.uk