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Islanders donated 1,100 Easter eggs to a local hairdresser’s collection for disadvantaged local children, helping him double his initial target of 500.
Le Salon's Dominic Basilio (33) has been distributing the eggs, between three children’s charities: the Jersey Childcare Trust, Brighter Futures and Causeway, and Mont À L’Abbé School, this week.
From Lockdown Hero - he spent 12 weeks volunteering at the Salvation Army food bank, and was crowned Jersey's 'Lockdown Hero' following an island-wide search by Express and TMF - he then turned into Santa just before Christmas by starting a collection for 500 toys for local children.
Pictured: Dominic collected 870 toys for Christmas.
He eventually ended up with over 870 toys and decided to set himself a new challenge for Easter and launched an appeal for 500 eggs.
After reaching his initial target in just a few weeks, Dominic, who admits he has a “competitive” spirit, decided to challenge himself to collect 1,000 eggs.
With only a week to go before the holiday, he had 900 eggs. In just a couple of days, however, he had reached 1,100.
“I am just really thankful to everyone who has donated,” he said. “2,000 toys and eggs in four months, it’s amazing!”
Dominic is already thinking of his next Christmas drive and says he will be aiming for 1,000 toys. Once again, everyone that donates will be entered into a raffle to win “exciting prizes”.
“I am looking forward to future drives,” Dominic said.
“I’ve got loads of exciting ideas and I’m going to continue supporting these charities as much as I can and keeping it as fun as I can! I
“I think it’s a nice way for everyone to get involved and have a way to give back and be a part of something. It also helps disadvantaged families and supports local businesses with egg and toy purchases. It’s a win, win!”
While Christmas is still a long way away, Dominic has found another challenge to keep him busy in the meantime.
On 17 April he will be taking part in a charity abseil at Mont Orgueil Castle. Organised by Cheyenne O’Connor, the event aims to raise £700 for Jersey Women’s Refuge.
“Santa and Easter Bunny complete, [so I'm] diving straight into Spider-Man now,” Dominic joked. “I’m pretty terrified of heights but I’m planning to not look down or maybe see if there is an option to be piggyback it!”
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