A FIREFIGHTER from Halstead brought a little Easter joy to hundreds of children across Essex.

Simon Phillips, who has been a firefighter with White Watch at Stansted Airport for nearly nine years, collected just under 1,300 eggs and distributed them to hospitals and children’s charities.

This is the fourth year in a row Simon has successfully run the collection, taking the total number of eggs he has given out to over 3,000.

His efforts were bolstered thanks to some generous donations from companies like Sainsburys, who gave 100 eggs.

Simon said: “This year I have had an absolutely amazing response from companies and staff right across the airport as well as the local community, including local supermarkets, and as a result, nearly 1,300 Easter eggs have been delivered in the last week to hundreds of children from Braintree to Basildon, Harlow to Southend and Bishop’s Stortford to Chelmsford and Colchester.

“Helping bring some Easter cheer to children not having the best of times is a very worthwhile cause but I’m still amazed and overwhelmed by the support and generosity I’ve received from such a wide and diverse range of people and businesses.

“Not only were there donations from all over the airport, I was also supported by colleagues at Essex County Fire and Rescue, RPC Promens Halstead and so many of the great people of Essex.

“I even received eggs from a Portuguese motorcycle club based in London as well as the local lollipop lady in Halstead.”

Simon distributed the eggs at Colchester, Broomfield, Southend, Basildon and Harlow hospitals as well as charities like Children in Care, Little Havens Hospice and Home-Start Witham, Braintree and Halstead.