A FORMER gang member turned good guy will be running a course at two Darwen primary schools teaching youngsters the importance of random acts of kindness.

John Magee, 42, was once involved in criminal activities in the Roman Road and Highcroft areas of Blackburn but after turning his life around has decided to turn his experiences into something good.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Having recently spent time at Darwen’s Avondale Primary School under the pseudonym "Mister Consequence", Mr Magee, began teaching Year Six children through a series of workshops how beneficial being generous and thoughtful can be.

Following the "phenomenal response" he received from Avondale students during an eight-week course, he has now been invited back to work with the next set of Year Six children in September.

He will also pass on his wisdom to Darwen’s Sudell Primary School pupils.

Mr Magee said that he wants to make a difference to the emotional growth and confidence of children preparing for high school.

He said: “I will be teaching the children at Sudell and Avondale in four areas next year one day a week.

“These will focus on how to help and be kinder at home, in the community, with their friends and at school.

“Saying hello to a neighbour, helping out your mum with jobs and holding the door open for people might seem like nothing but it can make such a difference to someone’s emotional wellbeing.

“I want to get kids off their iPhones and get them doing positive things every day.

“Energy flows where attention goes and I want to make sure that attention goes on kids getting into a habit of being generous, kind and helpful not violent, ignorant and aggressive.”

Mr Magee got the idea for the project after meeting the family of Adam Rogers, who devised the Every Action Has Consequences campaign backed by the Lancashire Telegraph, to raise awareness of the dangers of senseless violence.

Adam, 24, former Padiham Ladies Football coach, was killed by a single punch as he tried to act as peacemaker during a night out in Blackburn in 2009.

Sudell councillor Jane Oates is fully behind the idea and looking forward to the project coming to the ward. She said: “It sounds a great idea to promote doing things in the community.

“I think it can make such a difference to the children’s attitudes.

“I think there are plenty of children thatwho would benefit from a programme like this.”