Marcus Rashford backs Gosport area children who collected more than 1,000 Easter eggs to support Acts of Kindness

Kind children put out a plea to help Acts of Kindness collect Easter eggs for care homes, hospital wards and frontline workers.

Lee-on-the-Solent Infant School Pupils Evie Matthews, six, and Ava Steadman, seven, have been blown away after collecting more than 1,000 eggs.

On Saturday, Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford tweeted: ‘Little superstars.’

The pair, who are in a childcare bubble, created a video asking friends, family and the community to get involved - and they were overwhelmed with people’s kindness.

After smashing their initial target of 350 eggs, Ava said: ‘My mummy told me that some people don’t get Easter eggs so we wanted to help.

‘I’m really happy that lots of people wanted to help with our challenge. It’s really kind, making people happy is really important.’

Businesses got on board including Alliott Wingham Chartered Accountants in Fareham who donated 180 eggs and Midas Group Ltd with 80 eggs.

Overjoyed Evie said: ‘It’s amazing that we’ve now collected more than 1,000 eggs. That’s more than 1,000 smiles!

‘You should be kind to other people otherwise people won’t be kind to you. All of the eggs are going to make lots of people happy which makes me happy.’

Mum Natalie Matthews, who took Evie along when volunteering for Acts of Kindness, said: ‘She was learning that she was a lot more fortunate than she ever thought. This has been a huge eye opener for her which is a massive blessing.

‘Myself and my husband Chris, and Ava’s parents Louise and Ryan Steadman are so incredibly proud of our girls for doing this and raising awareness of the magic that AOK spreads in our community!’

Nine-year-old Callum Morton is another kind supporter who has found the community rallying behind his Easter egg drive.

Proud Cub Callum was over the moon to collect more than 370 eggs, with donations coming in from family, friends, Fareham 10th Cubs and mum Kelly’s bootcamp members.

Kelly said: ‘We couldn’t believe how quickly it snowballed. He’s so chuffed every time someone comes to the door.

‘We all deserve a little treat and that’s what this is all about.’

More than 70 eggs have been donated thanks to the efforts of six-year-old Holly Ford, a young pageant contestant who is Miss Beauty UK Role Model 2021.

Mum Heidi said: ‘I think children actually have a better idea of what’s going on than we ever did at that age. Being in the pageant has really given us a focus on fundraising.

‘The smile on her face when she’s doing it, she knows it makes a difference to people and it really makes her happy.’

These generous donations coincide with Acts of Kindness looking to set up a Youth Ambassador Project to encourage kindness in children.

Charity founder Kerry Snuggs said: ‘All of the kids have been amazing this year! Along with eggs we’ve collected and Rotary club we will be able to make a lot of people happy this year.

‘Encouraging children at a young age with kindness has the possibility of changing the course of their future actions with others.’

Evie and Ava’s PayPal is still open for donations at paypal.me/EvieAvaEaster and money that comes in after Easter will be used for Acts of Kindness’ food bank.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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