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Bishop welcomes first Easter Egg to mention Jesus on box
Bishop Paul is pictured with Choristers at Southwell Minster, who attend the Minster School in Southwell, and who took a keen interest in the egg! There are over 80 million chocolate Easter eggs sold each year in the UK and, incredibly, not one of them mentions the Christian understanding of Easter on the box. Not only does The Real Easter Egg mention Jesus on the pack, but the price includes a donation to charitable projects buying everything from medical equipment for mums in the UK to chickens for farmers in Africa. The Rt Revd, Paul Butler, Bishop Southwell & Nottingham, said; The Real Easter Egg gives church schools their first ever chance to buy an Easter Egg that not only tastes good but does good. I believe there will be widespread support for the product from the faith community with many others likely to be interested. We hope that all our supermarkets will stock the first and only Easter egg in the UK that explains the significance of Easter and, through the charitable donation, brings to light the Easter themes of hope and new life. Supermarkets reluctant With 7 million people going to church at least once a month, another 7 million supporting the ethos behind Fairtrade products, and nearly 8,000 church schools, demand is expected to be high for The Real Easter Egg. Despite the obvious demand not all UK supermarkets are planning to stock the egg next year. The stores who have signed up will be revealed in January. In the mean time church schools are being asked to help prove demand by ordering before 1st December 2010. There will be educational resources available for schools placing orders and it is hoped that staff will use the arrival of the eggs to teach about citizenship, the meaning of Easter, the role of Fairtrade and the place of charitable giving. The supply of eggs can then be given as rewards for students who have worked particularly hard in exploring these themes. David Marshall, from the team behind The Real Easter Egg, said; It seems fitting for church schools to join in with a campaign to help prove demand for an Easter egg that could make a difference to the lives of many people here and abroad. Schools can help encourage retailers to stock the egg by ordering a supply before 1 December 2010 at www.RealEasterEgg.co.uk. Making a big chunk of difference The Real Easter Egg explains the Christian understanding of Easter on the pack and is made from high-quality Fairtrade chocolate. The recommended retail price of the egg is £3.99. 30 pence from each egg will be donated to Traidcraft Exchange and a further 10% from profits will go to Baby Lifeline. Traidcraft Exchange is a development charity which helps small-scale farmers and producers gain the confidence, knowledge and opportunities to work together effectively, find markets for their products, and trade successfully resulting directly in increased incomes and improved livelihoods. It also lobbies and campaigns for trade policies and practices that help rather than harm people in the developing world, and encourage those who feel powerless to speak up for their rights. Baby Lifeline supports new mothers and new-born babies in the UK. It supplies hospitals with life-saving equipment such as incubators and helps to give specialist training to doctors and midwives. Further afield, the cocoa and sugar farmers earn a Fairtrade Premium to invest in community projects that they choose, from chickens to fresh water. The Real Easter Egg has been developed by Manchester-based The Meaningful Chocolate Company, working in consultation with a number of churches and Dioceses. The Archbishop of York has also publicly welcomed the Real Easter Egg.
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