A challenge that provides staff and patients at a hospital in Bury with chocolate treats for Easter has come to a close for the tenth year in a row.
Earlier this month, Spritzer, a tuxedo cat that lives on the grounds of the hospital with owner Heléna Abrahams, was on a mission to collect as many donations as possible.
The duo does this so that chocolate Easter eggs can be bought for patients and staff at Fairfield Hospital.
Each year, famous feline Spritzer goes with owner Heléna to take the Easter treats to patients as a way of brightening their days.
The duo has become well known for this across the hospital and is motivated because Heléna has previously spent time on the ward herself.
Speaking before the challenge, Heléna said: “I am a suicide survivor. I was in the unit.
“The mental health system's in a mess, and this is just us giving back and just saying, you know, you're not forgotten. Here's, here's a little gift from us.”
Normally, the 55-year-old will have trolleys in local supermarkets so people can donate Easter eggs directly.
Sadly, Heléna says that last year she had the eggs stolen from the supermarket collection points.
So, this year, she asked those who were in a position to donate to give their money through Gizmo’s Legacy, a campaign Heléna set up against irresponsible pet ownership after she adopted two cats with birth defects.
This year, Spritzer’s Easter Egg Challenge collected an astonishing £550 that bought over 400 chocolate eggs.
Pictures show the friendly feline and the chocolate gifts.
Heléna said: "This year, asking for donations worked far better.
"When the staff received them, their smiles and knowing every single patient and member of staff will receive an egg, makes it another year we let them know they are not forgotten."
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