Josh Taylor delivers Easter Eggs to children in East Lothian

The eggs were coordinated by a local charitable group.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Children in East Lothian were overjoyed to receive gifts of Easter Eggs on Sunday, especially as the Easter Bunny was joined by boxing champion Josh Taylor.

Taylor teamed up with a local charitable group run by Jane Russell, which delivers ‘fresh chicken dinner boxes’ to families struggling to get by.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ms Russell had already delivered batches of chocolate eggs the weekend before Easter, and was joined in her Easter Bunny costume by the boxer for the final day of deliveries.

Strict social distancing was maintained during the deliveries. Josh Taylor with Jane Russell and Elliot Tierney.Strict social distancing was maintained during the deliveries. Josh Taylor with Jane Russell and Elliot Tierney.
Strict social distancing was maintained during the deliveries. Josh Taylor with Jane Russell and Elliot Tierney.

Despite the pair maintaining strict social distancing, they were concerned to be approached by police on Cockenzie High Street.

“We thought we were in trouble, but they just wanted a photograph,” said Ms Russell.

The pair visited as many streets as possible around Cockenzie, Prestonpans, Musselburgh, Tranent and Wallyford, focusing on those who had requested Easter Eggs via Ms Russell’s Facebook page.

Read More
Run For Heroes campaign founded by Edinburgh woman raises over £1 million for th...
Jane Russell was dressed as an Easter Bunny Rabbit.Jane Russell was dressed as an Easter Bunny Rabbit.
Jane Russell was dressed as an Easter Bunny Rabbit.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It was an amazing day, the kids absolutely loved it,” she said.

“Some of them knew we coming so they left out boxing gloves for Josh to sign.

“It was great just to put a smile on kids’ faces, as it’s such a difficult time for them at the moment.”

The fresh chicken boxes project was set up by Ms Russell in early December, and was initially intended to be a short-term venture.

Cara and Kieran Henderson were delighted to receive Easter Eggs.Cara and Kieran Henderson were delighted to receive Easter Eggs.
Cara and Kieran Henderson were delighted to receive Easter Eggs.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But she has been overwhelmed with requests for the food parcels, and has since delivered 1,600 meals to families in East Lothian.

The boxes include enough chicken, vegetables, potatoes and gravy for a family Sunday meal.

Each box costs £9, and Ms Russell has relied on donations from the community as well as support from Nisa and Co-op as well as other local businesses.

“The aim is to provide a fresh family roast dinner so families can come together,” she said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I never expected it to take off the way it did. The support in the community has been amazing, they’re really behind us.”

The boxes are packed at the Harlawhill Day Centre, and a group of ten volunteers collect and deliver them locally.

Ms Russell has seen an increased number of requests since the coronavirus crisis began.

She has given up her job at a party company in order to run the project full time, and is in the process of registering it as a charity.