Anna Bassi, Editor in Chief of The Week Junior said: “This year has been tough for everyone, so we are keen to help spread some cheer. We know that our readers will enjoy bringing joy and smiles to those who need them most, in simple but effective ways.”
The Week Junior is supporting the charity Action for Children for the initiative, highlighting their Secret Santa campaign and Starry Night virtual family carol concert that both aim to bring support to vulnerable children in the UK.
Locks Farmer, Director of Fundraising & Marketing, at Action for Children: “All of us at Action for Children are incredibly grateful for the support of The Week Junior and its readers this Christmas. Their 12 Days of Kindness campaign is a wonderful activity to get involved in and as a charity we know what a difference these small acts of kindness can make to those who are struggling the most.
This year our frontline staff have worked tirelessly to support some of the vulnerable families and children in the UK and that work continues as they face the bleakest of festive seasons. It’s heart-breaking that there are children and young people who will have Christmas without a hot meal, a present or even a safe place to sleep. The kind support of The Week Junior will help us in our work supporting some of the country’s most vulnerable children.”
The magazine has also launched a competition for readers to design its festive front page. Entries must illustrate the theme of kindness, with the winning entry featuring on the cover of the 19th December issue of the magazine. Action for Children ambassador, the TV presenter and author Dr Ranj, will be helping to judge the competition. The winner will receive a framed print of the cover, and a signed copy of Dr Ranj’s book, A Superhero Like You. Two runners up will see their designs published in the same issue, and The Week Junior will make a Secret Santa donation to Action for Children on their behalf.
The fifth anniversary edition of The Week Junior is available from 21st November and includes a pull out with all the acts of kindness listed, along with suggestions on ways to complete them. The initiative will have a dedicated page on the website packed full of resources and templates to help children complete the challenge.
The 12 Acts of Kindness are as follows:
- Donate unused books, toys and clothes or to a food bank
- Bake festive treats
- Make and deliver a Christmas card
- Call a relative just to say hello
- Become a Secret Santa for a vulnerable child - give a virtual gift with Action for Children at iamsanta.org.uk/kindness
- Be nice to nature - e.g. feed your garden wildlife
- Help parents by doing a household chore
- Sing to a loved one to put a smile on their face in celebration of Action for Children’s virtual family carol concert Starry Night - iamsanta.org.uk/kindnessstarrynight
- Write a thank you note to someone who needs it (could be a health worker, postman, teacher, local shopkeeper, parent, neighbour, sibling)
- Smile – and try to make others smile too
- Look after the environment – pick up litter in your local area
- Be kind to yourself - do something that makes you happy
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