WHEN thinking about the best Easter present of all time, you could argue that a 10 kilo chocolate egg comes pretty close.

And thanks to Wayne Garnett, owner of The Fridge deli in Dorchester’s Tudor Arcade, that is exactly what is up for grabs for just £1 this Easter.

Wayne is raffling off the enormous Easter egg as part of his fundraising mission to raise £20,000 for Weldmar Hospicecare Trust before the end of the year.

His efforts come as part of a celebration of his 20 years in business.

Wayne told the Echo: “I wanted to give something back to Weldmar because it’s a cause very close to my heart; I lost my dad 20 years ago and Weldmar cared for him in his final days.

“I brought The Fridge shop in January 1995 and dad passed away just one month later.

“I have such clear memories of the excellent work the hospice did to care for him all those years ago and recently too, because two years ago they also looked after my friend Dave who passed away aged just 46.”

The special 10k egg, boasting a present in the middle, comes from Italy and this year forms part of a selection of chocolate eggs the store order every Easter.

But if the thought of all that chocolate makes you queasy, Wayne is offering an alternative prize of £100 to spend in store. The giant egg will then also be donated to a worthy cause.

Wayne added: “So far in our fundraising mission we’ve raised almost £7,000 through various initiatives, including an aerobics night that was held at the Corn Exchange on Friday.

“We also raised £2,200 from a fundraising raffle held at the start of the year.

“But we want to give the mission one final push up to Easter, and I encourage anyone who would like to to come and donate £1 to the challenge and be in with a chance of winning this enormous Easter egg.

“It would certainly make a brilliant Easter present and the money raised is for a very worthwhile cause.”

The raffle draw for the giant egg will take place at 2pm on Easter Saturday, April 4, at The Fridge deli.

Jonathan Panton, business fundraising manager for Weldmar Hospicecare Trust, said: “Everyone at Weldmar would like to say a huge thank you to Wayne, his staff, and all his customers at The Fridge for their continued support.

“We’ve added up the money he has raised for us since he began his campaign and The Fridge is on target to achieve the aim of £20,000 in a year.

“This money will go towards providing our free care for people and their loved ones with terminal illnesses across Dorset, in their own homes, our Wellness Centres and Joseph Weld Hospice.”

To find out more about Wayne’s fundraising mission or to be in with a chance of winning the Easter egg, visit fridge20k.com or pop in store to donate.