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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Sean McPolin

Girl, 13, delivers thousands of chocolate eggs to sick kids spending Easter in hospital

An inspiring teenage girl has delivered thousands of eggs to sick children in hospital this Easter.

Jasmine Parker, from Belfast in Northern Ireland, has gifted the chocolate treats to children at the Royal Victoria Children's Hospital after collecting them with her family.

Since 2016, the 13-year-old has donated more than 4,200 eggs.

In her first year donating the treats she delivered 100 eggs, but is now bringing thousands to the Belfast hospital.

In 2017, the family collected over 200 eggs and then 400 in 2018.

Mum Maggie Parker explained how proud she is of the heroic teenager.

"She's so kind-hearted, and just wants the children to enjoy Easter," she said.

"It all began in a supermarket when she asked me if sick kids would get any eggs, and now we've delivered over 2,000 eggs.

Jasmine has been delivering eggs to the Royal Victoria Children's Hospital in Belfast since 2016 (Maggie Parker / SWNS)

"My house, and my mum's house were completely covered in eggs. Towers of eggs are all ready to go for Easter.

''We're just really proud of her, it's an amazing thing to achieve at such a young age and just shows her kind heart.

''It means the world to the kids we visit too.''

Jasmine started the now annual tradition after asking her mum seven years ago if children at the hospital received chocolate eggs during the Easter holidays.

Jasmine's mission to donate Easter eggs first started when she asked her mum if sick children at the hospital got any eggs for the holiday (Maggie Parker / SWNS)

Later that the Maggie posted on Facebook, at the request of her daughter, asking for any donations she could take to the local hospital.

Mum-of-one Maggie added: ''Within a few hours we were already getting people knocking at the door with eggs.

''I couldn't believe it. 'There was so much support immediately.

''When Jessica's dad came home from work he was shocked to see 100 eggs to say the least.''

A day later, Maggie and her husband, Jay Parker, 35, a health and safety manager, took their daughter to the Children's Royal Victoria Hospital and handed over the eggs to the nurses at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.

The family collect and keep eggs at their Belfast home (Maggie Parker / SWNS)

"I'd never seen so many eggs," Maggie explained.

"We handed over the eggs to the nurses, and they we're so shocked. We we're sad to not see the kids reactions, but the nurses we're overjoyed."

In 2019, Jay offered his white van for transportation after collecting 700 eggs through donations and fundraising.

Generous people would post eggs or drop them off at the family's house.

Jasmine has been nicknamed at "Irish Easter bunny" (Maggie Parker / SWNS)

In 2020 the charitable tradition was put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but Jasmine and her family still managed to raise £300 for the children's hospital with a raffle and delivered 200 eggs.

Her mum explained: "It was only little, but it all helped. With the help of the school, we stared a raffle. Jasmine loved being able to doing something different to help."

In 2021, Jasmine, who was crowned Junior Miss Galaxy Ireland, managed to collect and deliver 800 eggs.

Eager to beat her record, in 2022, the family promoted their endeavours heavily online.

13-year-old Jasmine has been delivering hundreds of eggs every year (Maggie Parker / SWNS)

They managed to collect 1,618 Easter eggs - which were delivered to almost every children's hospital in Northern Ireland, missing just two.

Maggie said: "We did nearly all the children's hospitals, it was seven in total.

''It took us a few days, but Jasmine was pumped to get everything delivered.

"Our walls were covered in eggs. Fortunately, my mum was able to keep some eggs in storage for us.

"Jasmine was overjoyed by her accomplishment. Every cupboard was filled to the brim."

Jasmine, 13, has donated around 4,200 eggs since she started in 2016 (Maggie Parker / SWNS)

This year, 2023, Jasmine and Maggie have shattered their record and gathered over 2,000 eggs which they started delivering on Easter morning.

Maggie added: "This year we we're prepared for the onslaught of eggs. We wanted to make sure every child in hospital had an egg this year.

"We've got a van, and two cars all ready to make the journeys. I'm so proud of Jasmine, every year she's still so keen to help. Our very own Irish Easter bunny."

Jasmine said: "Easter is for everyone. Every child should enjoy it. I want to keep doing this every year."

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