North Easterners celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day

Photo: Screen grab.
Photo: Screen grab.

North Easterner’s have celebrated Random Acts of Kindness Day today (February 17).

The day gives people a chance to focus on positive acts towards other people and people are encouraged to do something that will make a person’s day better.

Kelsey Gryniewicz, Communications Director at the Random Acts of Kindness, said: “Random Acts of Kindness Day is a chance to focus on the good and be loud with your generosity.

“During these 24 hours, think of one person you want to do something for – someone you know, a stranger, yourself—and step out of your comfort zone to make that person’s day better.

“You could write a thank you note, send a positive text message, pay for the person’s coffee behind you…the important thing to remember is that no gesture is too small.

“Studies show that even simple acts of kindness have a huge impact.

“Doing good deeds improves your mood, reduces stress, increases serotonin levels (that’s the feel-good chemical) and also releases endorphins (the body’s natural painkiller.)

“And, the coolest part, is that every person who witnesses the act of kindness receives these benefits.

“So, if you do one act of kindness for one person today, and someone happens to witness it in that moment, you’ve positively affected the lives of all three people.

“Pretty cool in my opinion.”

Jay Sykes, 23, an academic tutor at the University of Sunderland also took part in the Random Acts of Kindness Day by giving hugs.

Mr Sykes said: “It was started by Danny Wallace, who also wrote the book Yes Man.

“I like to live my life saying ‘yes’ to opportunities, so if I can do one nice thing for Random Acts of Kindness Day it would be to tell you to read that book! It will change your life!”

Students at the University of Sunderland also got involved in the day on the university radio station Spark FM.

Richie Lee, a daytime presenter on a Wednesday afternoon, decided to participate in the day with his own random acts of kindness.

The 30-year-old, from Sunderland, celebrated the community by calling a customer service centre to thank them for their work – you can listen to it below:

Mr Lee also called a traffic warden in the area to thank them for their work and tried to call Jeremy Hunt, the Secretary of State for Health, but he was unable to get in contact with him.

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