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Finley-Jay is only eight years old, yet his determination to make a difference shines bright. His sights are already set on helping others in his community with his touching kindness gestures, as the BBC reports.
Inspired by a social media group calling itself “Hit the Ambulance Gamers” which highlights random acts of kindness, or “hits,” he creates and hands out goody bags to ambulance crews local to him in the West Midlands, the UK, to bring joy to the hardworking paramedics. Much more than just treats, they serve as a reminder of the profound effect compassion can have on others.
A labor of love praised by many
According to the website of The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital, the youngster fills his goody bags with tea, coffee, chocolates, biscuits, and pens, all gifted to him by friends and family.
He also curates themed goody bags with different provisions suited to Easter, Halloween and Christmas.
“I am so proud of him – he is such a kind little boy, “ says his mom, Laura Stubbs. “Whenever we have some spare time you can find Finley up at the hospital by A&E [ER] handing out little bags that he’s made up to hand out to every ambulance that arrives at A&E. He’s that popular that Shrewsbury ambulance crews all know him now.”
The hospital’s nursing director, Hayley Flavell, also shows her admiration “What a lovely and kind gesture by Finley – his goody bags will make all the difference to the ambulance crews that arrive at our hospital. Well done Finley!”
This is a sentiment felt by the crews themselves. Will Gould, the senior operations manager at the Shrewsbury hub of the West Midlands Ambulance Service, shares that the crews all look forward to the kind boy’s visits, as he never fails to bring a smile to the crew he “hits” while sending a big thank you to him and his mother.
Perhaps this tender-hearted kid’s altruistic actions are all the more commendable because he lives with ADHD. As the American Psychiatric Association explains, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic though common mental disorder in children. Its symptoms include difficulty in focusing, inappropriate hyperactivity and a tendency to act impulsively.
Finley's love for ambulances, meanwhile, has led to him setting up his own Facebook group he’s titled “Finlay-Jay’s Ambulance Bags Journey.” In it, as Family Care, a family-owned social care provider supporting children in care details, he continues to inspire others to support his mission and spread kindness in their own communities.
The appeal of random acts of kindness
Acts such as Finley’s remind us of the power of acts of kindness, however small, and how they can combine to make the world a better place.
This is very much the thinking behind Random Acts of Kindness Day, which this year falls on February 17, and is an initiative from the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation who are also the organizers of Random Acts of Kindness Week, happening just before it. This inspiring organization wants everyone to become a “RAKtivist” aka Random Acts of Kindness Activist!
RAKtivists, as the website explains, transform ordinary days into something special through small, thoughtful features like offering a seat on the bus, or a sincere smile. As it explains about these small, but significant gestures, they “connect us with our humanity, reminding us of the love in the world and inspiring us to pay it forward. RAKtivists aim to make kindness the norm. By connecting passionate people, they share ideas, resources, and celebrate everyday kindness, making it a way of life.”
According to Family Care, Finley has taken the concept of random acts of kindness to new heights. The “Hit the Ambulance Gamers” group encourages members to share gestures such as waves and gifts with ambulance crews, but this caring boy is congratulated for going above and beyond with his appreciative goody bags.
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