A Cheltenham volunteer has seen his Easter egg appeal soar to unprecedented levels, bringing festive cheer to hundreds of children across the community this Easter holiday.
The appeal began five years ago as a modest Christmas Selection Box Appeal organized by Dave Bath. Every year, Dave has distributed holiday treats to local children and families facing hardship.
The expansion to Easter eggs happened serendipitously. “A friend of mine reached out saying he had many Easter eggs and asked if I wanted to distribute them as well. That’s how it all began,” Dave recalls.
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This year marked a milestone, thanks in part to the involvement of the Cheltenham Round Table, local businesses like the Cheltenham Trust, and the launch of a GoFundMe campaign to expand support.
From just 100 Easter eggs in its inaugural year, the appeal proudly distributed over 1,600 eggs this Easter. Dave, assisted by friends Marisa Regan and Gary Goodhall, describes this as the largest effort yet.
“The Cheltenham Round Table’s involvement brought incredible support, alongside contributions from Inserco Industrial Controls and the Cheltenham Lions Club,” says Dave.
What drives Dave is the joy the eggs bring to children. “Seeing their smiles makes it all worthwhile. I hope more groups will join because the demand is growing beyond what I can manage alone,” he adds.
Moved by community generosity, Dave shares an emotional moment when a £400 donation via GoFundMe brought tears to his eyes. “Even one egg can brighten a child’s day.”
The Cheltenham Round Table, a social and charitable group of young men aged 18-45 active since the 1940s, have embraced the appeal enthusiastically. Their chairman, Ross Beamish, highlighted their contributions: “We donated 340 eggs—twice our club number—and collected hundreds more from local donors, totaling over 500.”
Ross expressed excitement about the partnership with Dave, envisioning the appeal becoming a cherished tradition for both the Round Table and the broader Cheltenham community.
“We want to extend heartfelt thanks to all shop managers, community champions, and donors who trust us to bring smiles through these Easter eggs. Our motto is simple: ‘It’s good to be good,’” said Ross.
With growing demand and community interest, both Dave and Ross are calling for additional volunteers to help sustain and expand this heartwarming tradition.