A CHOCOLATIER based in Conwy has raised more than £3,500 to support Ukraine by raffling a giant Easter egg which it created.
Baravellis, based on Bangor Road, made a hand-painted chocolate egg, weighing 10kg and measuring about two feet in height.
Designed by master chocolatier Emma Baravelli, who runs the business with husband Mark, it took three days to complete.
People could have given themselves a chance to win the egg by making a donation of any size to their JustGiving page, ahead of a draw which took place yesterday (April 27).
The draw took place in the Speaker’s Rooms at the Palace of Westminster, and was conducted by Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons, with Sam Jones winning the egg.
READ MORE:
Conwy chocolatier makes 10kg, 2ft-tall Easter egg in Ukraine fundraiser
Dyserth coach service receives ‘truly overwhelming’ donations for Ukraine
All of the proceeds will be donated to The British Red Cross Society’s Ukraine Crisis Appeal.
Following the event, Mark and Emma said: “We are grateful to Sir Lindsay and his team for their enormously warm welcome and for agreeing to draw the winner of the egg.
"When we came up with the idea of creating an egg to raise funds for the British Red Cross, we certainly never thought that the winner would be drawn in such impressive surroundings.
"It was a real pleasure meeting Mr Speaker and to hear about his connections to, and fondness of, Conwy – we hope to welcome him to our shop when he next visits the town.
“We would also like to thank Aberconwy MP, Robin Millar, and his team for helping to organise and for supporting the event.
"Most importantly, we want to thank everyone that has donated to the appeal.
"So far, we have raised over £3,500 for the Red Cross and we are overwhelmed by the support that we have received.
"The appeal ends on April 30 so there is still time to donate at: www.justgiving.com/UkraineEasterEggAppeal.”
Aberconwy MP, Robin Millar, added: “It was a real pleasure to welcome Mark and Emma to Parliament this week.
"Their beautiful, hand-painted giant Easter egg typifies just how creative and generous support has been from people here in Aberconwy to the Ukrainian appeal and symbolises our open-hearted response to the scenes of devastation and refugees driven from their homes by this brutal and unprovoked conflict.
"I applaud Emma and Mark for this marvellous gesture and I’m delighted that they have already vastly exceeded their ambitious fundraising target.
“I thank Sir Lindsay for supporting Emma and Mark and for his incredibly warm welcome to the Speaker’s State rooms.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here