Jessica brings joy to homes
SAYING A BIG THANK YOU
A Five-year-old who received recognition from Boris Johnson for her kindness during lockdown is continuing to go above and beyond for her community.
Jessica Willey, from Washington, was awarded a Point of Light award from the Prime Minister after she surprised 200 NHS staff at Sunderland Royal Hospital with afternoon tea.
And now she has extended her efforts to surprise staff and residents at care and nursing homes with a spread of sandwiches, scones and cakes.
Jessica’s mum Andrea Willey said: “Jessica wanted to help other key workers who have worked throughout lockdown and she also has family members who live in care homes.
“She’s not been able to see these relatives during lockdown, so she knows how difficult it must be for the residents who are separated from their family and she wanted to treat them to raise spirits.”
Jessica raised £200 to buy food for 180 people living at Washington Lodge Nursing Home and Pavilion Nursing and Residential Home in
Houghton-le-spring.
She raised the money by selling 100 handmade bookmarks decorated with rainbows and flowers, which have attracted buyers from as far as Florida.
And to help her cater for a greater number of people, Wysteria Avenue restaurant in Houghton-lespring kindly offered to prepare and deliver the food free of charge.
This has allowed Jessica to buy packed lunches for staff on the Intensive Care Unit at South Tyneside Distrct Hospital.
Andrea said: “The homes that we have picked are close to our hearts as Jessica’s uncle lives at North Lodge and my dad lived at Washington Lodge before he passed away four years ago.
“We asked Wysteria Avenue to pick the third home as a way of saying thank you for all of their help.”
She added: “When we told the homes about our plans they were absolutely over the moon and couldn’t believe
it.”
An excited Jessica was “grinning ear-to-ear” when she delivered the treat to grateful staff and residents.
She was also finally able to see her uncle, who she has missed during lockdown, from the other side of the window and enjoy entertainment together, which has been arranged by the home.
Andrea said: “We’re so proud of Jessica and what she has achieved. We don’t know what her next venture will be, but I’m sure she will think of something else.”