Village in Somerset records almost 800 good deeds

A small village in Somerset has cheered the whole country up by completing more than 800 good deeds. They ranged from feeding a badger everyday to paying a neighbour’s vet bill.

The good deed challenge happened in little known Congresbury, just outside Bristol, and was carried out in order to celebrate 800 years of the village church St Andrew’s. In fact, the more than 3,500 villagers got a bit carried away and recorded more than 850 good deeds on postcards, which they posted into a special box in the church.

It seems that good deeds breed more good deeds. Organiser Becci North said: ‘It just snowballed, absolutely snowballed – everyone’s embraced it.’

Other good deeds included painting the park benches, washing peoples’ cars and even simple things like picking up litter around the village. Others gave clothes to those sleeping rough and sent cards to people they knew were feeling low.

Becci said that the good deeds were a ‘testament to the whole village’ and added that the whole village had got involved, with people of all ages taking part. Speaking to the BBC, she added: ‘In a world where there’s so much doom and gloom in the news it’s easy to miss a nice friendly smile or a stranger giving up their seat for you on a bus. We’ve had three and four year olds putting in good deeds – helping friends put their socks on after gym class or walking a neighbour’s dog because they were ill. The list just goes on and on. It’s absolutely amazing and so many people have benefitted.’

We could all benefit from the odd good deed now and then, and not just by being on the receiving end. Doing good deeds can be just as rewarding, so maybe a scheme like this should be carried out across the UK.

From helping out people we know need a hand, to making sure our colleagues are comfortable and safe at work (maybe raising some money for an evac chair), spreading good cheer is infectious and has positive results.