A nine-year-old school pupil from Sheppey has collected more than 160 Easter eggs for poorly children in hospital, after her community rallied around.

Prison staff, care home workers and neighbours answered Tilly Duffy's call for chocolate treats, which were handed over to Medway Maritime Hospital today.

Tilly decided to help the youngsters on March 5. However, after the Government urged people to reduce social contact in order to reduce the spread of coronavirus, many people have just been dropping off eggs on the family's Minster doorstep, after shopping for their own essentials.

Mum Zara Duffy, an administrative worker at HMP Stanford Hill, said: "It shows not everyone is panic buying and hoarding. It's nice to see people can think of others in this scary time."

This is not the first Tilly has helped others. For the last two years she raised more than £160 pounds for charity, by making and selling Christmas decorations.

Mrs Duffy said: "Tilly has always been one of those kids that wants to help people. After World Book Day at school she came back feeling down because her costume didn't win a competition.

"We said to her 'don't be said, just be good at being you.' Later she said 'I know, what about the children in hospital that aren't going to be home for Easter?"

Zara put an appeal out on Facebook and the eggs rolled in, including from care home workers in Oakdene Rest Home, where her Tilly's grandma works. Morrisons, in Neats Court, Sheppey, handed over 52.

Growing up with older brother, George, who has autism, Tilly has always been conscious of other children's needs.

"Tilly has always been aware of the kindness and calmness children like George need. We always say Tilly is the best friend George doesn't realise he has," Mrs Duffy said.

The Halfway Houses pupil said: "I feel very happy to get to do something for myself but then I get to impact a couple of other people's lives."

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