Belfast teenager gets special award from Prime Minister
The daily Points of Light award recognises outstanding individual volunteers
A 14 year old girl from Belfast has been given a special award from the Prime Minister.
The daily Points of Light award recognises outstanding individual volunteers - who are making a change in their community.
Jasmine Parker has been recognised after collecting and donating over 6,000 easter eggs to children in hospital over the last 8 years
This year marked the teenager’s eighth Easter appeal, having first started in 2016 when she was 6, and had the idea to give chocolate eggs to children in hospitals over the Easter period, to help brighten their stay. In her first year, she delivered 100 eggs and, with support from the local community, the campaign has continued to grow each year.
Jasmine has also put together Christmas hampers and toy appeals for local families in difficult circumstances, and works with hospitals to donate small gift bags for children undergoing day procedures, as well as undertaking fundraising challenges for various charities in the Greater Belfast area.
The ‘Belfast Giants’ ice hockey team, have lent their support to Jasmine, by inviting fans to donate eggs at their matches in the run up to Easter. Adam Keefe, Head Coach of the Belfast Giants, presented Jasmine with her award and a signed ‘Belfast Giants’ jersey, prior to the team’s home Elite League playoff quarter-final against the Coventry Blaze at The SSE Arena, Belfast, on Saturday, 13th April.
The award for Jasmine coincided with Easter Monday.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris, said,“Congratulations to Jasmine on this well-deserved award.”
“Her generosity has made a real difference to children and families going through difficult times, and I’m delighted she has been recognised by the Prime Minister for her amazing work for the local community.”
Jasmine said, "I cannot believe I have won this award, WOW what an honour.”
“My Easter appeal is all about making children smile. Making others smile makes me happy and I have made 1000s of children smile and what could be a difficult Easter in hospital. I love that I have so much support from members of the public and businesses as without them my appeal wouldn't be possible. I hope I'm able to continue my appeal for many more years to come.”
“Jasmine is the 2304th recipient of the Points of Light award, which was first launched in April 2014 to recognise outstanding individuals making a positive change within their community and inspiring others. Each weekday, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements.”