The Bishop of Manchester has welcomed the launch of The Real Easter Egg, the UK's first and only Easter egg to mention Jesus on the box. And he is asking church schools to put in an order before Christmas.

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.  

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 1^st December 2010.

For schools that do there will be educational resources available in January 2011 with The Real Easter Eggs being delivered early in 2011. 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.  

Welcomed
The Rt Revd, Nigel McCulloch, Bishop of Manchester, 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."  

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".  

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 will also publicly welcome the Real Easter Egg this week.  

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.  

Jane Riley, from Traidcraft, said: "We are delighted to be involved with the Real Easter Egg-It is such an exciting venture and the benefits to people in the developing world will literally transform lives."  

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.  

Judy Ledger, from Baby Lifeline Charity, said: "The money the egg donates will go to support the care of thousands of pregnant women and new-born babies in the UK, helping to supply maternity and special care baby units with vital equipment ranging from hand held fetal dopplers (which detect the unborn baby's heart rate) to incubators, scanners and other monitoring equipment to care for mothers to be and their unborn and newborn babies. It will also support specialist and cutting edge training to maternity health care professionals to ensure best practice and the best care for our mothers and babies. We think this is a wonderful idea, which also has great synergy for the start of new life."  

ENDS  

Further information from

Diocese of Manchester/The Meaningful Chocolate Company Ltd: David Marshall 07836 22 44 44