Egg-stra special Easter surprises By

A Newport teenager has spent the last week delivering Easter eggs and treats to care homes around the Island.

Macie Edkins-Wherry, 15, has been buying eggs with the money from her paper round and, thanks to generous donations from the community, has distributed around 175 to care homes with another 100 Easter treat bags taken to St Mary’s Hospital for the elderly patients.
Proud mum, Dana, said: “It’s been a brilliant effort from Macie and she’s had so much support from so many people.”
Among her supporters was the Island High Sheriff, Caroline Peel, who met Macie at Inver House care home, Bembridge, to personally thank her for all she has achieved.
Dana added: “It was lovely for Caroline to be there and met us, a very thoughtful gesture.

“Macie had been delivering her gifts to care homes all over the Island including Newport, Cowes, Ryde, Bembridge and Ventnor.
“Morrisons, in Newport, were fantastic and donated 106 small eggs through their Community Champion, Leah Tosdevin.
“And a wonderful lady, Karen Webster-Dunn from Binstead, got in touch and organised a crowd of volunteers who donated eggs, egg cups and knitted chick covering for the eggs. They also helped cellophane the eggs for delivery.

“Macie’s school, Carisbrooke College, also got involved and teachers donated lots more eggs. They have said that Macie has been an inspiration to everyone and some of her peers have come forward to help her with the next project of delivering gifts to the elderly at Christmas.”
Macie is no stranger to fund-raising having made her mind up to help during the first lockdown. Dana said: “Originally, Macie’s school was looking to raise £3,000 for a mental health and wellbeing room because the students are being affected by everything which is happening at the moment. So, in September, Macie organised a big raffle and garage sale to raise £2,000. Then in November, she contacted local care homes and distributed more than 100 Christmas presents and cards to people who were on their own with no other family over the holiday period.
“And in this third lockdown she went walking or running 5km every day, while I gave up sweets and treats, to raise more than £1,600 for Island charities.”

As well as the hospital, the variety of care homes and community projects visited included Pan Together; Marydale and Fairhaven, Ryde, Cherry Trees and Carefirst, Cowes, Camelia Manor and Abbeyfields, Newport, Inver House, Bembridge and Downsview, Ventnor.