Francis House Children’s Hospice’s virtual Great Didsbury Easter Chick Hunt is continuing throughout April

The Didsbury hospice has turned its annual Easter fundraiser into a virtual activity in the hope of recouping valuable income from cancelled events as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

The trail of 20 shops and venues through the streets of Didsbury village is being replaced by an interactive game and quiz.

In previous years, estate agents, shoe shops, cafes and restaurants have placed a hand knitted chick – complete with accessories – in their windows for children and families to find.

A map, designed by Tom Biddle, guided the happy hunters to discover clues next to each chick, and encouraged them to fill in their answers on an entry form provided by the hospice.

Karen Flower of Francis House said: “Unfortunately a number of shops who were to host our chicks have had to close their doors and we have had to cancel fundraising events for the foreseeable future.

“We looked for ways that we could still safely get our supporters involved as well as promote the Didsbury traders, and have devised a way of taking part in the Easter Chick Hunt from home no matter where families live.”

From the hospice website, players can click on an interactive map to reveal the name of each venue, the chick, plus a fact about the hospice that supports more than 500 families of life-limited children and young adults.

The aim is to then correctly answer as many questions as possible in an interactive quiz with scores revealed at the end.

“We hope that if families enjoy taking part, they will consider making a donation at the end of the quiz.

“We would once again like to thank our sponsors Towers Manchester and Lady Barn House School, Maria Dunbobbin for knitting the original chicks – who are safely tucked up at the hospice until next year – as well as members of the Didsbury Traders.”

The Francis House ‘Virtual’ Great Didsbury Easter Chick Hunt runs until April 30.