Resort bids to be '˜kindness' capital of UK

Pupils from St John's Primary interview Arif Rajpura and Secret Millionaire David Jamilly

David Jamilly, who appeared on the TV show which sees wealthy benefactors help the less well off, visited the resort to launch the initiative which is backed by the Blackpool Fairness Commission.

The resort will hold its first Kindness Convention at the Winter Gardens on June 12.

Its aim is to encourage people living in the town to use kindness and humanity to build stronger communities and make Blackpool a happier place to live, work and play.

David, who founded The Good Deeds Organisation in 2005, joined pupils from St John’s CE School at the Solaris on South Promenade to record a message of support and explain why he thinks the town should be the UK’s first capital of kindness.

He said: “The children have very wise heads on their young shoulders and it is clear the concept of kindness is important to them and their lives.

“I was nervous about being quizzed by them as you never know what the questions are going to be. They were excellent and great ambassadors for Blackpool.

“Kindness UK is very focused on spreading this culture and these children have embraced it which is great to see at such a young age.”

As part of the convention, Blackpool Fairness Commission will call on people to carry out 100 acts of kindness throughout the year from helping people with their shopping to having a brew with an elderly person.

Dr Arif Rajpura, chairman of Blackpool Fairness Commission, said: “When there is so much bad news in the world we want Blackpool to be the place to come to for kindness and humanity.

“We hope people will embrace our 100 Acts of Kindness and if they manage to do this I am sure they will feel better and the community will be better for it.”

Children from St John’s CE Primary School, on Church Street, Blackpool, joined David to share their views on kindness.

Joshua Mottershed-Rolfe, 10, said: “Kindness is very important to me and it should be to everyone.

“I think everyone should be kind to one another and it should be for everyone as you don’t know what people are going through.”

Paige Bennett, also 10, said: “It’s horrible to see people arguing and being nasty to each other.

“It’s nicer if people are friendlier to each other and getting along. If you can be nice to somebody then you should be.”

The Kindness Convention will also feature workshops encouraging people to become a dementia friend and talking about social isolation in the community.