Kindness campaign marks 20th anniversary of death of Diana, Princess of Wales

A CAMPAIGN to make the nation a kinder place has been launched to mark the 20th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.

The drive, set up in memory of the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry’s mother by the Diana Award, was unveiled on National Kindness Day.

It aims to inspire 20,000 acts of kindness throughout 2017 and the charity is encouraging people to log their good deeds via its Kindness Count on diana-award.org.uk/kindnessday.

Research by the Diana Award found that just over half of Brits (56%) had experienced a random act of kindness by a stranger in the last year.

Around a third of people (34%) were given a compliment, 20% have been given directions and 10% received an offer to pay for their food or drink.

Tessy Ojo, chief executive of the Diana Award, said: “It’s heartening to see that as a nation we’re kind and caring, but these new statistics also highlight there’s much more we can do to make us even kinder.

“That’s why we’re kick-starting a campaign of kindness on National Kindness Day in memory of Princess Diana.

“We’re encouraging everyone to do something kind for someone else and let us know about it.”

She added: “Diana, Princess of Wales is fondly remembered for her values of compassion, kindness and service to others, irrespective of their background.

“This is why this year, as we mark the 20th anniversary of her death, we are putting a huge emphasis on kindness as a core value that underpins society.”

The Princess was killed in a car crash in Paris on August 31 1997 when William was 15 and Harry was 12.

The royal brothers are commemorating the anniversary by commissioning a statue of their mother which will stand in the public gardens of her former home Kensington Palace in London.

The Diana Award is working in partnership with makers of the CBeebies animation show The Clangers to promote kindness among youngsters on its third National Kindness Day.