Edinburgh business Paper Tiger donates hundreds of Easter eggs to NHS staff

Paper Tiger has donated more than a thousand pieces of chocolate as part of “Operation Easter Egg”.

The Edinburgh-based gift shop, which was forced to close temporarily last month, launched “Operation Easter Egg” last week to help show support for NHS workers and their families, food banks, and hospital patients.

Since then the Paper Tiger team of volunteers have distributed hundreds of Easter Eggs and more than a thousand pieces of chocolate.

Michael Apter, managing director of Paper Tiger, said: “Hopefully the chocolate has helped to make a difference to thousands of people over the last couple of days, whether that be patients on wards, elderly folk in care homes, children and families helped by food banks, or carers.”

The team at NHS Lauriston show off their Easter Egg haul.

Over the weekend, Michael and his team delivered eggs to the NHS coronavirus testing team in Lauriston Place, who distributed them to health workers and their families who were being tested at the drive-through centre.

Another consignment of chocolate made its way to the Western General Hospital, where Paper Tiger and Charlie Miller Salons gave eggs and bunnies away to staff and patients, and still more Easter treats were sent to the Royal Sick Kids, and Astley Ainslie Hospitals.

Michael said his team had managed to provide treats for KITS (Kids In The Street), Goodtrees Community Centre, and many other charitable organisations across the city.

Tough times

Easter Egg deliveries ready to go at Paper Tiger's HQ.

Lockdown measures have had a big impact on small and independent companies across the city, but despite the disruption, Paper Tiger is still open online.

“I have had great support from our Edinburgh customer since the lockdown closed our doors three weeks ago,” Michael says, “For a small business like us, Easter should be one of our busier and more profitable trading times.

“I am taking comfort in the knowledge that we have made a difference to all of those people who received our eggs.”

Paying tribute to the efforts of his furloughed staff, Michael said “I really appreciate their help, and I am happy and relieved that the eggs have gone to so many good causes and grateful recipients.”

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