AMONG the scores of fund-raising initiatives launched by a North Yorkshire charity, one continues to rule the roost.

Seven years ago carers’ Resource, based in Ripon and Harrogate, came up with the idea of knitting Easter chick covers for Cadbury’s crème eggs as a money-raiser.

And now, thanks to its army of volunteers, more than 10,000 chicks have been hand-crafted – helping the charity race past the £15,000 fund-raising barrier in the process.

Every year, supporters of the charity team up with Cadbury to knit the covers and the chic chicks are then sold across the county for a donation of £1.50.

All the money generated is channelled via the charity’s network of offices into supporting the county’s growing number of people who look after a loved one.

For the first time this year, the charity has hopped into new ground by creating Easter bunny costumes as well as ones for chicks.

And many have been created by recycling the miniature woolly Tour de France jerseys that that were used as bunting in the area during last summer’s historic Grand Depart.

The charity’s fundraising manager Anne Wells said: “This success story is a feather in the cap – quite literally - of all those people who give up their time so freely to knit these covers, as well as everyone in our community who sells them on our behalf.

“We are also delighted to be able to draw upon the generosity of Cadbury, who have backed this initiative every year since day one, and take an active interest in the work that we are able to do as a result.”

The covers are available from a range of outlet across the charity’s patch, as well as at its offices in North Park Road, Harrogate, and Allhallowgate, Ripon.

Visit carersresource.org.