A CHILDREN’S HOSPICE is urging people to donate specialist toys instead of chocolate eggs this Easter – as most of their children cannot eat them.

Haven House Children’s Hospice in Woodford Green receives a mountain of chocolate Easter eggs from families across east London and Essex every year.

But as the majority of the severely disabled and life-limited children they care for are unable to eat or swallow whole food, they are calling on people to donate something they can really make use of instead.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

The hospice in High Road has compiled a wish list of all the specially-adapted, sensory toys it would like to be able to give to its youngsters. You can also buy gift cards to aid donations.

Donated toys will be on offer to all the children at the hospice or will be sent out to families as part of Haven House’s home loan service, which serves both Redbridge and Waltham Forest.

Chief executive Mike Palfreman said: ”Easter is a time when people often want to generously donate chocolate eggs to their local hospice, however; unfortunately many of our children are unable to eat, drink and swallow whole food.

“While we donate some of the chocolate eggs we receive to the brothers and sisters we support, we do receive an excessive amount of chocolate eggs at Easter.

“We would never turn away a kind donation from our supporters, but if you would like to help our hospice this Easter, please consider donating a toy or piece of equipment via our wish list, which would have more longevity and bring much joy to our children throughout the year.”

For more information on how to donate, see the website.