CHILDREN at Claire House Children’s Hospice were given an early Easter treat this week.

Cheshire-based Roberts Bakery enlisted the help of the Easter Bunny to deliver hot-cross buns and a £6,762 donation to the centre.

The cash, which will be used to maintain the hospice’s hydrotherapy pool for a year and supply a shower bed, was raised by bakery staff cycling 90 miles to Llanberis, North Wales.

The kind-hearted team then climbed to the 3,560ft summit of Snowdon to raise as much cash as possible.

Abi Smith, area fundraising manager for Claire House, said: “Our hydrotherapy pool is a fundamental part of the children’s care here at the hospice, providing exercise, relaxation and fun. However, it costs £5,000 a year to maintain.

“This donation from Roberts, together with the new shower bed they have provided, is just wonderful and will make a very positive impact on the care we can provide here.”

And Lindsay Occleston Roberts, of Roberts Bakery, said: “Claire House is very close to our hearts. It supports families of some of our members of staff and needs to raise in excess of £2.5 million each year to maintain its present levels of service.

“We are very pleased to be making this valuable contribution to the support and care the youngsters receive at the hospice. And of course, everyone loved meeting the Easter bunny and eating the delicious hot cross buns he brought along for them!”