Have you thought of donating a chocolate alternative?

RAINBOWS Hospice for Children and Young People has urged people to consider donating alternatives to Easter Eggs.

Many children cared for at the Loughborough-based hospice are unable to eat chocolate because of medical or dietary requirements.

Instead the hospice, which cares for children from across Leicestershire, is asking kind donors to donate something from its Gifts that Give range.

Gill Smitherman, Rainbows donor development manager, said: “Gifts that Give is a collection of alternative gifts - like music therapy, hydrotherapy or a special trip out - for children, young people and their families.

“People can choose the gift they want to give and Rainbows makes the memories.

“Chocolate lasts a moment, but our supporters can help us make memories which will last a lifetime.”

To find out more, visit any one of the Rainbows shops or log on to www.rainbows.co.uk/giftsthatgive

Alternatively, the Rainbows Amazon Wish List is full of items hospice children and young people really need and use every day, such as sensory books and arts and crafts materials, and there’s a price range to suit everyone.

For more information visit www.rainbows.co.uk/wishlist

Ms Smitherman added: “If people have already bought an Easter egg for Rainbows, thank you.

“Some will be used as gifts for youngsters and their families, some will be used by the play team and care team and, if there are any left over, they will be used by the fundraising team for raffles, tombola’s and to say thank you to people fundraising on our behalf.”