AN NHS nurse who started her own care company is donating more than 500 Easter eggs to care homes and elderly people in the county.

Motayo Badamas, from the Windygoul area of Tranent, who has worked as a nurse for NHS Lothian for 27 years, set up R&B Senior Care Solutions.

As well as private care, including for those with complex needs, Motayo and her team offer services such as medication prompting, a tuck-in service, befriending services and hospital escorts. She has 11 clients, with 10 on her waiting list.

Her company is named after her two children, Reece and Brooke.

Just before and during the first lockdown last year, the company offered to pick up shopping for the elderly and infirm every Friday, free of charge.

Motayo’s company also works with East Lothian Council as a provider.

She left her full-time position with the NHS last September but still works as part of NHS Lothian’s staff bank, similar to agency work.

Earlier this month, she spoke to an elderly lady who had been on her own for nearly eight years after her husband died and her family moved away.

Motayo bought her a Creme Egg as a gift.

She then spoke to other clients who were in a similar situation and decided to help them out and donate them an Easter egg, appealing to the public for donations.

Since making an appeal for donations on her Facebook page, Motayo has been inundated with more than 500 Easter eggs which she will hand out to care homes and clients her and her staff care for.

The mum-of-two said: “It was heartbreaking [during the height of the pandemic], people were just passing away and passing away on their own.

"After speaking to some clients, I couldn’t believe how many people had not had an Easter egg. I want to help our community and give something back to our elderly population.”

On the reaction to her appeal, she said: “The community have been amazing and people have been handing in so many eggs and even money donations. Morrisons and Asda have even contacted me to ask if they can donate some eggs too.

“I’m thinking of getting an Easter bunny to help me hand them out, waving from the window.”

The eggs will be handed out on Easter Sunday or as close to that date as possible, which this year is April 4 (next Sunday).

Those who wish to make a donation towards Motayo’s Easter egg appeal can visit facebook.com/RBSeniorCare