Sweet tooth essential for appeal’s Easter prize

BID manager Mike Smith (left) and ARCHIE appeal chairman David Sutherland with the giant chocolate Easter egg which will be raffled in aid of the refurbishment of the children’s ward at Raigmore Hospital.

EVERY chocoholic’s dream is set to raise cash towards the appeal to develop a new children’s ward at Raigmore Hospital.

Business in Inverness have donated a giant Easter egg to the ARCHIE Foundation, which aims to raise £1 million to turn the ward into a child-centred and family-friendly environment.

The 2ft high egg, crafted by Belgian chocolatiers Lucas and Ingrid Story, was commissioned by Inverness Business Improvement District (BID) in conjunction with the Eastgate Shopping Centre.

The couple, of Story Chocolates in the Victorian Market, have made five of the bumper eggs — four as prizes for a BID on-line Easter competition being launched alongside a city centre Easter Egg Hunt on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd April.

BID manager Mike Smith and his wife Jackie Cuddy, who is Eastgate manager, attended the launch of the ARCHIE campaign at the Drumossie Hotel last month. The appeal is supported by The Inverness Courier.

"The campaign is very close to our hearts in Inverness," said Mr Smith. "Children and hospitals are an emotional combination for every one of us and we both considered this was a natural cause to support.

"I am sure this will go down well with our businesses who want to see a successful appeal."

Making the giant eggs was a labour of love and a first for 59-year-old Mr Story and his 60-year-old wife who have run their businesses in Inverness for nine years.

They made a special trip to Belgium to get large moulds, with each egg, created from Belgian chocolate applied in layers, taking half a day to finish.

ARCHIE appeal manager Laura Mackintosh said the egg will be raffled at the Eastgate Centre next Saturday, with a stall at the Falcon Square entrance.

"This is a cracking idea for us at Easter," she said.

* BID’s Egg Hunt will take place in Inverness Old Town and the city centre from 11am till 4pm with entry forms from the Steeple, opposite Inverness Town House, or Eastgate’s Falcon Square entrance. Correct entries will go in a draw for one of four £50 shopping vouchers. The on-line competition, to win one of four giant eggs, is on www.invernessbid.co.uk/