Children and their sweet-toothed mums and dads will share more than 300 Easter eggs donated by staff at the UK’s largest gas distribution network.

Employees of National Grid Gas Distribution rallied for a second year to donate these chocolate treats to Atherton and Leigh Foodbank in Greater Manchester.

Staff donated at five offices: Hollinwood and Worsley, both near Manchester; Hinckley, in Leicestershire; Chesterfield, Derbyshire; and Bootle, Merseyside.

Alison Regan, from National Grid Gas Distribution, said: “This started a few years ago, when I first collected advent calendars for the foodbank. Last year, we also collected Easter eggs and we’ve done that again this year. I’ve worked for this company for 28 years and we’re just like a family. Everybody is happy to support projects like this, as they help the communities we serve.”

Warren Done, project manager at Atherton and Leigh Foodbank, said: “Our foodbank provides emergency provisions, like food and toiletries, to around 100 people every week. It’s great that this donation will help give them a treat too, for the kids and for parents, if they’re chocolate lovers!”

Atherton and Leigh’s foodbank is one of 400 operated by The Trussell Trust. They provide a minimum of three days’ emergency provisions to people referred to them. “We help them with food and the agency that referred them helps with whatever their issue may be,” said Warren.

The foodbank has recently opened a new base in Platt Bridge, and welcomes donations (which can be made at supermarkets in Atherton or Leigh), as well as volunteers to assist with its work.