A RAFFLE for ‘Yorkshire’s Biggest Easter Egg’ in Pickering has raised £5,720 for Ryedale Special Families (RSF) to go towards the build of the charity's new home.

Standing at 80cm tall and containing 150 bars of chocolate, the egg took Birdgate Chocolatiers, three days to make the egg and has been displayed in their shop window for the past six weeks.

Mayor of Pickering, Cllr Joan Lovejoy pulled the draw which also included prizes donated from Flamingo Land, NYMR, Dales Florist, Yorks Race-course and £50 worth of Pickering Gift Vouchers donated by Pickering Town CIC (PTCIC) who ran the competition.

Carrie Brackstone, Operations Manager from PTCIC said: “The incredible amount raised is testament not only to Birdgate Chocolatiers’ talents and generosity but also to the community of Pickering; tickets were kindly sold by several local businesses but we also had members of the community out selling for weeks beforehand. Everyone doing their own little bit added up to a whole lot and we couldn’t believe the amount when we totalled it up. Thank you to everyone who sold tickets for us – and everyone who bought one too.”

Rob Davies, fund-raiser for RSF, said: “The amount raised is absolutely astounding and we are hugely grateful to everyone for buying tickets.

"A massive thank you in the first place must go to Ian at Birdgate Chocolatiers for donating such a beautiful egg. Thanks also to North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Flamingoland, York Races, Dales Florists and Pickering CIC for donating the additional prizes.

"Finally, a huge thank you to Carrie at Pickering CIC for her hard work in helping to promote the draw, as well all the businesses and residents of Pickering who have helped make it the success it has been.”

Outgang Lane in Pickering is to be the new home of RSF's new building who are still in need of funds to complete the build.

The charity is recruiting a team of intrepid explorers to scale Ben Nevis in Scotland. If you are interested in taking part, sign up can be found at: https://www.ryedalespecialfamilies.org.uk/get-involved/ben-nevis-challenge/