YOUNGSTERS from a York school decided to spread a little happiness ahead of Easter.

The Year 7 pupils from St Olave’s went out in the city today to complete a ‘Random Act of Kindness’ community project as part of their Archbishop of York’s Young Leaders Award, where they gave away sweets and sang songs.

About 86 students dressed in their uniforms or in costumes stood outside York Minster, the railway station, St Helen’s Square and Parliament Street at 9.30am yesterday. They gave away hand-made flowers, Easter eggs and sang songs to the public.

The project was funded by the pupils themselves through activities and using their own pocket money to buy sweets and Easter eggs and the whole event was put together with the help of the Youth Trust.

Head teacher, Andy Falconer, said: “Happiness is contagious! The Year 7 pupils wanted to do something for their Young Leaders Award that would hopefully make people smile, feel special and spread some happiness.”

Youth Trust director, Dan Finn, said: “There are 80 students today doing random acts of kindness: high fives, hugs, singing and it’s just brilliant. These are all their own ideas to ‘be the change they want to see.’”

They have looked at inspirational leaders who have previously changed the world and used their acts to make a difference. One pupil, Silas Maughan, 11, sold sweets in the centre of York and raised £80. He sang James Bay’s Hold Back the River with a group outside York Minster today.

He said: “I think that at first we were really sceptical about whether we could do it but we had lots of good responses. A cleaning lady was dancing to our song and told us that what we were doing was very nice. That was definitely a confidence boost.”

St Olave’s teacher, Michael Ferguson, said: “It is nice to see the children take ownership of it. When I spoke to them last week, they hadn’t done much, but now they have gone so far. They have come up with nice and creative ideas.”

Chris, a passer-by, said: “I have been approached by three different groups and I think it is such a nice thing to see and they have nice ideas.”