A group of inspiring young students headed out into Thurrock recently to show how kindness can change the world. Around X pupils from Gateway Academy from year X pulled together a special ‘Kindness Week’ from scratch, in which youngsters performed random acts of kindness around the borough. The Student Leadership Team took out a specially decorated bus into Tilbury Town and approached “people making a difference,” including bus drivers, litter pickers and station workers. Parents and teachers got gifts and “heartfelt” messages of thanks, and the week was finished with a trip to Basildon Hospital. Year 8 student Joanne was “tearful” when sharing her experience. She said: “I gave the giant green dinosaur teddy to a young boy who was about to go into surgery today. He told me that this cuddly toy is now his best friend and will help him through today.”