Stolen Easter eggs replaced as support grows for children at Scunthorpe hospital

An Easter appeal for children receiving care at Scunthorpe General Hospital has attracted strong support after donated chocolate eggs intended for the hospital were replaced and the fundraiser expanded. The appeal was set up to provide Easter treats for young patients on the Disney Ward at Scunthorpe General Hospital, which serves families across northern Lincolnshire. Support for the effort has grown significantly in the run-up to Easter, with organisers reporting a sharp rise in donations after news of the setback was shared online. According to organiser Mark Skinn, more than 30 Easter eggs that had been collected for the ward were taken earlier this week. He said he was disappointed by what had happened, but that the response from the public quickly changed the mood around the appeal. Mr Skinn said offers of help began arriving soon after details of the loss were posted on social media, with further donations of eggs and money following from supporters and local residents. Tesco has since replaced the missing eggs and introduced a secure donation point to support the collection. In a statement, a Tesco spokesperson said it was upsetting that eggs donated for the Disney Ward at Scunthorpe General Hospital had been stolen, and thanked customers for their generosity in supporting the appeal. Mr Skinn said the campaign had already received more than 170 egg donations and more than £700 in cash contributions. He added that the level of support had become so strong that the original plan had been widened. Instead of helping one ward alone, egg donations are now expected to be shared among three hospitals with children's wards. Mr Skinn also said the money raised would go to a local hospice. Deliveries are planned for Easter Sunday with support from other members involved in the appeal. Any eggs left after the hospital deliveries will be passed on to junior teams linked to the supporters' club, he said. For families in northern Lincolnshire, the appeal centres on a hospital that plays an important role in caring for local children. The reaction to the loss of the original donations has underlined how quickly support can build when a fundraiser is focused on young patients at Easter. What began as a disappointing blow to the collection has, by the organiser's account, turned into a wider community effort, with replacement donations and additional fundraising pushing the appeal beyond its initial target. The Lincoln Post has not independently verified these claims.