09 April 2023
A 94-year-old FirstPort retirement resident from Mapperley, Nottingham, has been spreading Easter cheer across her local community this week by dressing as the Easter Bunny and gifting local businesses with chocolate eggs.
Maria Draper, who lives at FirstPort independent-living retirement development Beech Court, has been dressing up as a bunny each Easter for the past two years and delivering chocolate eggs to the people of Mapperly.
Maria, who was given the Easter bunny outfit from her granddaughter, was even featured on her local BBC radio and TV stations to speak about her community work.
Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham, Maria explained why it’s her mission to make people smile:
“I think if you try and bring the good part out, they do come out.
“You get people that are shy, but you do your best and they enjoy it. Then you get a laugh from them, a smile. Even though I probably look crazy, I don’t mind.”
Hazel Southgate, who is a FirstPort Development Manager at Beech Court, added:
Maria is a real example of community spirit, of being young at heart, and she keeps you young.
“We encourage our residents to be involved in the community, and they are, from yarn bombing to charity collections and volunteering.
“Maria is great fun, and I have a lovely development, where we are all enjoying life, with each other, and our community, and hopefully being an asset to our community.”
