SHEFFIELD’S Cathedral Archer Project have launched their Virtual Easter Egg Hunt to help raise funds for the service which has seen a surge in demand over the past year.
Organisers are encouraging punters from across South Yorkshire to get involved with the competition, which involves a set of entertaining tasks, all of which can be completed from home.
Emily Bowes, Marketing and Development Coordinator at the Project, said: “The aim of the Hunt is to provide something simple and fun for people to do at home whilst we are in lockdown.”
In exchange for £5, households receive a ‘challenge sheet’, where they have until midday on March 25 to complete as many activities from it as possible.
The competition ends one week before the holiday period, and the most successful entry will receive a hamper of Easter treats to bask in the glory of winning-over the judges.
With tickets costing the price of a takeaway coffee, competitors’ contributions will be handed-to the Archer Project which provides homeless people with the medical support, food, and education they need.
Explaining the impact of donating, Emily added: “The money raised will go towards our work supporting homeless adults from sleeping bag to employment.
“We hope lots of people will get involved and help us raise awareness of our work whilst having fun!”
Throughout 2020, the service was forced to adapt if it were to continue helping Sheffield’s most vulnerable citizens.
Over 850 people were supported with more than 8,400 meals being distributed by the Archer project last year.
Multiple agencies worked together to ensure provisions were accessible to those in need seven days a week.
Talking about the Coronavirus restrictions, Emily said: “From April we primarily supported those who were rough sleeping.
“Our work is focused on helping people move away from homelessness towards a stable and fulfilling life, but due to numerous lockdowns this has been harder and harder.”
Participants are assured that the Treasure Hunt complies with current government guidelines as the tasks are designed to be completed anywhere in peoples’ homes.
Public support is more important than ever, with the past year forcing them to juggle the impact of the pandemic and a potentially devastating blaze back in May.
Emily said: “The public have been amazing at supporting us throughout the pandemic and the fire.
“Without them, we wouldn’t have been able to continue to support people who are homeless.”