Big Easter egg hunt brings community back together

JULIA WADE

25 April, 2022

Festive fun was in abundance over the recent long weekend as a first-time Easter event cracked open, attracting over a thousand visitors to join in pursuit of colourful foil-wrapped chocolate.

An estimated 1200 people turned up to Northern Helping Hands’ inaugural Easter Egg Hunt, held at Wellsford’s War Memorial Park on April 16, for a three-hour fun event heaped with delicious delights.

Besides thousands of eggs being found and devoured, Mr Whippy handed over 300 ice creams and a surprise visit from the Easter Bunny – laden with creme eggs – ‘was swamped by enthusiastic children’, Northern Helping Hands administrator and event coordinator Libby Clews said.

“After a weather worrying start to the week, Wellsford turned on a super sunny day for the first Easter Egg Hunt. I was really happy with the event, it went off without a hitch.

“Egg cashiers gave out 4500 eggs from the hunt with all children receiving an array of eggs in different sizes and any leftover eggs were distributed across the volunteer families, who were all reliable, proactive, and personable and they made the event a real success.”

Many who attended commented the event had reinforced some vital community spirit.

“Everyone’s been through a lot these past few years so this event brought us all together and was just what the community needed,” said Lisa Weber. “I’m grateful my children have an organisation like Helping Hands in their community so they can experience awesome activities and events that add to their childhood.”

As well as an abundance of chocolate, visitors of all ages were treated with bouncy castles, story time at Wellsford Library, a badge maker, Henna artist and bubbles as well as numerous freebies and prize giveaways from sunglasses, toothbrushes, socks and a hundred McDonalds vouchers. Mangawhai musician Jon E Clist also entertained the crowd with a mix of tunes for young and old.

“Almost every child had fire service and police stickers on them which was a great way for the emergency services to connect with residents,” said Libby. “It made me happy to see so many locals from Wellsford and neighbouring communities. A huge thank you to all our amazing sponsors who paid for the eggs, subsidised food and coffee, bought supplies, loaned us gear and so much more… there were many hugs, smiles and a lot of laughs.”

The Easter bunny is swamped by chocolate fans during the Wellsford event. PHOTO/HARRISON PHOTOGRAPHY

Event coordinator Libby Clews. PHOTO/HARRISON PHOTOGRAPHY