Pupils cheer up residents on Blue Monday

Blue Monday is recognised each year as being the unhappiest of days. It is named Blue Monday due to a combination of post-Christmas blues, cold dark nights and the arrival of credit card bills.

On Monday, January 20, 24 children from Padnell Junior School went out to Waterlooville town square with their headteacher, Sarah Luker, to share positivity and kindness with others. They handed out inspirational quotes, chocolates and flowers.

Local residents were overjoyed with their kind and thoughtful actions.

Kerrianne O’Connell, one of the Year 5 well-wishers, said: ‘I felt happy about the difference I was making. Loads of people said thank you and they were shocked but thankful we were thinking about them.’

One of the recipients, Barbara Wheeler, said: ‘The three children offered me a chocolate. It was such a lovely gesture on such a dark, winter’s day.’

This is an event that is very important to the pupils at the school who hope to do it again next year.

Robyn Gammans remarked: ‘We made people’s day which was great. All we did was get a small gift and it made people smile which is priceless to us. I think it would make a better community if everybody was happy.’

By Scarlett Parker