Chick Hunt Champions

Local families track down chicks as part of the Francis House Great Didsbury Easter Chick Hunt.

Abbie Rowlands with prizes from the Chick Hunt. — Abbie Rowlands, Chick Hunt prize winner.

More than sixty-five people scoured the streets of Didsbury to find 25 knitted chicks perched in the windows of local shops and businesses.

Armed with maps and clues, the children and their families followed a trail from East to West Didsbury. The aim of the activity held during the Easter holidays, was to find all of them and write down the answer to a fact about Francis House and identify the name of the chick.

Hospice volunteer Maria Dunbobbin, put her knitting talents to the test for the second year running and created the characterful chicks to match the themes of the various businesses.

New additions for 2019, included Albert Eggstein for Alberts Didsbury and Rose for The Flower Lounge. The chicks special designs and unique accessories, encouraged everyone completing the trail to keep hunting for the next woolly character.

Jane Riley at the Chick Hunt postbox in Didsbury Library.

Ayres Violins hosted their chick Henning, named after the famous Norwegian violinist Henning Kraggerud. Clare Yates from Ayres enjoyed taking part so much she said she ‘couldn’t wait’ for 2020.

Everyone who completed the entry form understood a little more about their local children’s hospice and were entered into a draw to win a number of Easter prizes.

Four happy prize winners included Abbie Rowlands, who named her pink bunny Francis after being inspired by everything that she had learnt.

Thanks to the generosity of all who donated along with their submission over £770 was raised.

“During Easter the chick hunt gives us a fantastic presence on the streets around the hospice in Didsbury and a fun activity for all the family. We are grateful to sponsors Towers Business Park, all the Didsbury traders and to everyone who took part and supported Francis House.”
Ellie Bridges, Francis House fundraiser