40 acts of kindness for Lent

Year 7 students at St Anne's CE Academy in Middleton

St Anne’s CE Academy in Middleton has decided to celebrate Lent in a different way this year.

The secondary school has decided that rather than give something up for the 40 days before Easter, it will participate in 40 acts of kindness.

The challenges have been designed by the school’s student leadership team to make a difference over the Lenten period.

St Anne’s is joined by local primary schools; St Margaret’s, St Gabriel’s, Boarshaw, St Lukes, Mills Hill, Parkfield, Harwood, St John’s Thornham and Castleton in helping friends, family and community with acts of kindness.

The acts being carried out by the students include offering to help a teacher, showing appreciation for those who look after them, volunteering, making a donation to charity and helping out around the home.

Speaking earlier this month, one parent, Elizabeth Barton said: “After school my children and I went shopping to buy items needed for Ukraine families that were being collected at our local church, All Saints and Martyrs Church Langley.

“We visited church to donate our items that Jay and his seven-year-old sister had chosen which included over 50 items of toiletries and sanitary products along with 10 packs of crayons and 10 colouring books. Once we arrived home, both Jay and Edie decided they needed to do more and to donate a bag full of clothes each.

“Jay then went back to church with the clothes and number of other items and offered to help out for the rest of the evening packing and sorting items with Fr. Philip Miller and two volunteers.

“Jay did not do this for any recognition but as his own choice, although I do think he deserves the recognition as the only child who volunteered to help out at this donation drive.”