BLACKBURN Central High School has become the first Kindness Academy in Blackburn with Darwen.

Inspirational Speaker John Magee is the best-selling author of Kindness Matters and last year he launched his vision with I’m a celebrity winner Carl Fogarty for the people of Blackburn with Darwen to be recognized as the first Kindness Community in the UK.

John is looking to embed the 30-day challenge into every high school in Blackburn with Darwen.

The project works in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen borough council and is trying to get an official month of kindness by 2020 whereby families, communities, schools and individuals can take part in the 30 day kindness matters challenge and put more kindness into the heart of our community.

Year 9 pupils have taken part in the Kindness Matters 30-day challenge.

The pupils have taken what they have learnt from the book kindness matters into the heart of community.

John said: "Nobody knows the community better than the people that live in it and people coming together can and will make things happen with kindness.

John’s vision is to inspire and motivate families, communities, schools and young people to think about their actions with one another.

Deputy Head Teacher Mrs S Hussain said: "The Kindness Matters 30 day challenge has helped the pupils reflect and think clear about how kindness can make or break someone’s day.

"It has definitely helped them be more empathic to one another. We are fortunate that John chose to work with BCHS, and we hope to work again with him in the future.”

The children have gone to other parts of the community where they do not live to do random acts of kindness for the general public.

They have helped the elderly in the community, picked up pieces of litter they did not drop, giving out random compliments.

All students have agreed to look at helping with other projects in the community such as Blackburn Youth Zone and Blackburn Rovers In the Community.