Easter Chicks ‘cluck’ up over €250,000
By Mary Dennehy
A GROUP of local knitters has over the past 10 years ‘clucked’ up more than €250,000 for the National Children’s Hospital in Tallaght, through the creation of their colourful Easter chicks.
A growing tradition since they first went on sale 12 years ago, the Easter chicks are the brainchild of Tallaght resident Ann Carthy who, with the support of a team of knitters and the wider community, has raised more than €250,000 for the National Children’s Hospital at Tallaght.
The cute critters, which go on sale nesting on a Cadbury’s Creme Egg in an egg-cup, have for the past decade being sold in aid of the National Children’s Hospital – with the 5,000 Easter chicks knitted this year netting more than €19,000 for the local health facility.
Ann told The Echo: “We have knitters from areas such as Tallaght, Clondalkin, Walkinstown, Rathcoole, Terenure and Dundrum, and about four years ago a few members from the Tallaght ICA (Irish Countrywomen’s Association) came on board.
“A really big effort goes into knitting the chicks, assembling them and then selling, but it’s all worth it to know that every single penny raised goes to making life more comfortable for the hospitals’ young patients and their parents.”
She added: “The Easter Chicks have become a tradition in the area and that’s down to the dedication of the knitters and the support and generosity of local people and businesses.”
The Easter Chicks wanted to thank the Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Bancroft, John Hanlon of Sturdy Products and The Square for allowing the team to sell its colourful brood in the shopping centre each year.
