Over 200 giant eggs have been hidden in secret locations throughout central London (Tuesday 21st February) as part of ‘The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt’, a magical event challenging the public to take on the world’s biggest Easter egg hunt, whilst raising vital funds for charity.
The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt is set to smash Guinness World Records for the Most participants in an Easter egg hunt and the world’s Most expensive non-jewelled chocolate egg sold at auction, as designed by William Curley. The two Guinness World Records attempts are part of “World Record London”, which will see the most exciting capital in the world attempt over 20 Guinness World Records to make London a multi record-breaking city.
To celebrate the magical year as host city of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the London & Partners’ campaign will highlight unique and one off events available to Londoners and everyone visiting the capital between now and July 2012.
Members of the public are racing to find the giant eggs, which have been exclusively designed, embellished and decorated by some of the world’s leading artists, architects, jewellers and designers including Mulberry, Sir Ridley Scott, Zandra Rhodes, Diane Von Furstenberg, Marc Quinn, Bruce Oldfield, the Chapman Brothers, Theo Fennell, William Curley, Candy and Candy, Zaha Hadid, Bompas and Parr and Polly Morgan.
A highlight of The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt, is the chance to win the world’s most extraordinary prize, the Diamond Jubilee Egg, a fabulous creation valued at over £100,000. Crafted from 500 grams of 18 carat rose gold, the design is based on Fabergé’s much loved Matelasse jewellery collection. It features 60 gemstones – one for each year of Her Majesty’s reign – set in a quilted rose gold surface and comprising of diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires.
Gordon Innes, ceo London & Partners, said: “This cracking event is just one of the many that London will be host to over the next few months. There is an egg-cellent array of activities for all ages and budgets across the capital and with events like this London is the best place in the world to visit, study or do business in during this magical year.”
To enter to win the Diamond Jubilee egg prize, and raise money for the charities at the same time, hunters need to locate the unique SMS keyword displayed on each of the eggs and text the keyword to a dedicated text number, 80001 (1). For each keyword participants text in, they will be entered into the prize draw. The more eggs they find, the more chances to win and the winning entry will be drawn at random.
The hand-crafted eggs, which are destined to become highly collectible works of art, are available to bid for online and at auction, with proceeds going to Action for Children and Elephant Family. The jewel in the crown of the auction will be an exclusively designed, stunning 127ct emerald and gold egg pendant ‘Le Collier Plume d’Or’ created by Fabergé.
The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt is seeking to raise up to £2 million for leading children’s charity, Action for Children, and Elephant Family, the UK’s biggest funder for the endangered Asian elephant.
Action for Children’s Chief Executive, Dame Clare Tickell, said: “The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt is an enchanting event, which will capture the hearts, imagination and interest of everyone taking part. It’s particularly heartening to know that money will be raised thanks to an event which will be hugely enjoyable for the thousands of children and families who will be taking part.”
Elephant Family Founder, Mark Shand, said: “The firing gun has sounded! Let the hunt begin – here’s to an Olympic effort to win that Diamond Jubilee Egg!”
Sarah Fabergé, great granddaughter Peter Carl Fabergé said: “Today sees the streets of central London host the world’s most prestigious Easter egg hunt and our Diamond Jubilee design will be the winner’s prize. We are thrilled to be involved in what promises to be a fun-filled, public event celebrating creativity across so many artistic disciplines and most importantly, raising funds for two exceptionally deserving charities. I would personally like to congratulate all the artists involved.”
