HUNDREDS of schoolchildren have donated their time and money to help the disadvantaged this week as part of a project to show more kindness.

Students at Haughton Academy, part of Education Village, in Darlington, took part in Active Kindness Week, which saw tutor groups donate hampers for the elderly and shoeboxes of gifts for children in hospital over Christmas.

They also collected clothing to help disadvantaged children abroad as part of the school’s annual community projects.

This was the first year that Active Kindness Week had been put into practise at Haughton, but past schemes have included toy collections for children’s wards.

Zoe Matthewman, assistant headteacher for communications said the children had been overwhelmingly enthusiastic about the project, with some still sending in gifts despite being off ill.

Ms Mathewman said: “It was humbling to see the commitment and thought that the children put in.”