Mark and Emma Baravelli, of Baravelli’s Master Chocolatiers in Conwy, travelled to Parliament this week so that the Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, could draw the winner of their 10kg Easter Egg that was created to raise funds for the British Red Cross response to the invasion of Ukraine.
The giant egg took three days to make, is 60cm tall, and would usually sell for £1,000. It was hand-painted by Master Chocolatier, Emma Baravelli, who is a textile designer by trade.
Welcoming the couple to the Speaker’s State Rooms in the Palace of Westminster, Sir Lindsay commended Mark and Emma on their initiative and on the impressive craftsmanship involved in their creation. He also revealed that he is a regular visitor to Conwy and has family connections with the town.
Following the event, Mark and Emma said:
“We are grateful to Sir Lindsay and his team for their enormously warm welcome and for agreeing to draw the winner of the egg. When we came up with the idea of creating an egg to raise funds for the British Red Cross, we certainly never thought that the winner would be drawn in such impressive surroundings. It was a real pleasure meeting Mr Speaker and to hear about his connections to, and fondness of, Conwy – we hope to welcome him to our shop when he next visits the town.”
Continuing, they said:
“We would also like to thank Aberconwy MP Robin Millar and his team for helping to organise and for supporting the event. Most importantly, we want to thank everyone that has donated to the appeal. So far we have raised over £3,500 for the Red Cross and we are overwhelmed by the support that we have received. The appeal ends on April 30th so there is still time to donate at: www.justgiving.com/UkraineEasterEggAppeal”
Following the draw, Aberconwy MP Robin Millar said:
“It was a real pleasure to welcome Mark and Emma to Parliament this week. Their beautiful, hand-painted giant Easter egg typifies just how creative and generous support has been from people here in Aberconwy to the Ukrainian appeal and symbolises our open-hearted response to the scenes of devastation and refugees driven from their homes by this brutal and unprovoked conflict. I applaud Emma and Mark for this marvellous gesture and I’m delighted that they have already vastly exceeded their ambitious fundraising target.”
Finishing, Robin said:
“I thank Sir Lindsay for supporting Emma and Mark and for his incredibly warm welcome to the Speaker’s State rooms.”