More than 500 Easter eggs have been generously donated to Colchester Foodbank, bringing a welcome treat to children whose families were referred to the foodbank over the holiday period.

The foodbank is very grateful for the donations from local people, including gyms, schools, nurseries and businesses.

Colchester Foodbank manager Michael Beckett said: “Thank you so much to everyone who donated Easter eggs to the foodbank – your generous donations mean that we were able to give an Easter egg to children who needed our help in the run up to Easter this year.”

He said one mum whose partner hadn’t been able to work recently had been very touched to receive eggs. She had told the foodbank: “‘I was really worried my children would have to go back to school and say they didn’t get any Easter eggs at all. Thanks to the foodbank we’re able to put food on the table and give our children an Easter treat.”

Mr Beckett added: “Easter is a time of hope. People tell us that the foodbank gave them hope: hope that there are people that care, hope that things will soon start to look up.

“Week in, week out at Colchester Foodbank and at our satelites Brightlingsea Foodbank and Wivenhoe Foodbank we’re seeing families from across North East Essex who have hit crisis. We’re here not only to give emergency food, but also to sit and chat over a cup of tea, bringing some light when people hit rock bottom.

The foodbank is currently appealing for longlife juice cartons, carrier bags, bags for life and Jute bags, longlife milk cartons, small washing powders and liquid bottles and washing up liquid. These can be donated at collection points at the front of most local supermarkets.