Thousands of Easter eggs have been collected for children with serious illnesses thanks to the kindness of strangers.

Almost 2,500, and counting, eggs have been donated to Noah’s Ark, a children’s hospice which supports children in Enfield, Barnet, Camden, Haringey and Islington, with life-limited or life-threatening conditions.

The eggs will be given to children and their families in the lead up to Easter, with the rest to be hidden in the sixth annual Easter egg hunt in Capel Manor Gardens in Bullsmoor Lane on Saturday, March 30.

Last year, more than 1,000 people attended the event, which raised £6,000 for the charity.

More than 1,600 eggs were donated by customers in seven Barclays branches, with hospice staff collecting an impressive 374 eggs from the Southgate store in Chase Side on Friday, March 16.