Francis House Children's Hospice in Manchester is preparing for Easter 2026 with a heartfelt call to action for knitters and crocheters across the region. The charity's annual Easter Knitted Chick Appeal is back, aiming to collect thousands of handmade chicks and bunnies to support its crucial services for children and young adults with life-limiting conditions.
A Stitch in Time: Building on Past Success
In 2025, this charming initiative, supported by over 600 dedicated knitters, raised an impressive £95,000. The hospice now hopes to surpass that total in the coming year, relying on community creativity to fund its expanding care programmes. With daily running costs exceeding £15,900, such fundraising ventures are essential for the charity's sustainability and growth.
The Heart of the Appeal: How It Works
Rachel Nasiri, fundraising officer at Francis House, explains the simple yet impactful process. "Our Easter Chick Appeal is back for 2026, and we're on a mission to collect as many knitted chicks and bunnies as we can," she said. "If you're part of a knitting group, a solo knitter or crocheter, or you know someone who just loves to knit, it's easy to get involved."
The charity provides free knitting and crochet patterns designed to hold a small chocolate egg. Once completed, these adorable creations are filled with a Creme Egg and sold for £2 each in schools, colleges, shops, cafes, and local businesses before the Easter holidays.
Key Details for Participants
To ensure timely preparation, all finished knitted chicks and bunnies must arrive at the hospice on Parrswood Road in Didsbury by February 23, 2026. This deadline allows volunteers ample time to fill the items and distribute them for sale.
Participants can drop off or post their creations to the Fundraising Office at Francis House Children's Hospice, Parrswood Road, Didsbury M20 5NA, clearly marking parcels as 'Easter Chicks'. Donations of Creme Eggs are also gratefully accepted to support the campaign.
A Legacy of Community Crafting
What began over a quarter of a century ago with just eight hospice volunteers has blossomed into one of the charity's most significant fundraising efforts. After appeals in national knitting magazines and crafting websites, the initiative now involves hundreds of volunteers and supporters annually.
"Our Chick Appeal is a real community effort," added Rachel Nasiri. "We invite knitters, egg collectors, chick delivery drivers, schools, and vendors to come forward and help make 2026 our best year yet."
The Vital Role of Francis House
Francis House Children's Hospice supports more than 435 families across Greater Manchester, providing holistic care in a home-from-home environment. The hospice offers:
- Respite care for children and young adults with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions
- Physical, emotional, and psychological support for the whole family
- Homecare and community services through a dedicated multi-disciplinary team
With annual running costs of £5.8 million, the charity ensures that 94p of every £1 spent goes directly toward charitable work. The Easter Chick Appeal represents a vital contribution to maintaining these essential services, combining community spirit with practical support for some of Manchester's most vulnerable families.
