County news: Airshow disaster witness starts charity advent

Most 10-year-olds’ idea of advent involves cardboard doors and chocolates, but not for Freya Gibbs.
Freya Gibbs donated a nativity outfit to Castledown School's Miss Sellens on day four 499I7Ar8aIcJ1jP1CaV_Freya Gibbs donated a nativity outfit to Castledown School's Miss Sellens on day four 499I7Ar8aIcJ1jP1CaV_
Freya Gibbs donated a nativity outfit to Castledown School's Miss Sellens on day four 499I7Ar8aIcJ1jP1CaV_

This year, Freya is spreading the Christmas cheer through 24 acts of random kindness including collecting blankets for the homeless and putting candy canes on all the cars on her Hastings street.

After witnessing first-hand the Shoreham airshow disaster, her parents Rebecca and John Gibbs wanted to show her that you can make the world a better place with little gestures.

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“Being 10, she took it really hard, and just after getting over that, it was the Paris attacks, so we wanted to show her that there is good in the world,” Rebecca said.

Freya Gibbs gave £10 to the Salvation Army at Tenterden Christmas Market on day five 8Jn4QCBIU95WMlXTY5Y9Freya Gibbs gave £10 to the Salvation Army at Tenterden Christmas Market on day five 8Jn4QCBIU95WMlXTY5Y9
Freya Gibbs gave £10 to the Salvation Army at Tenterden Christmas Market on day five 8Jn4QCBIU95WMlXTY5Y9

“It’s taken off far bigger than I thought it ever would. Originally it was to show her that she can make a difference with little things but the flood gates have opened.

“She gets bullied a lot at school but this has been a big confidence boost for her as she’s getting recognised in a positive light.”

Freya enlisted the help of her school, Castledown Primary, to put an appeal in the newsletter for pupils to donate blankets for the homeless.

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She has also set up a crowdfunding page for the victims of Storm Desmond which you can donate to at: crowdfunding.justgiving.com/freya-24.

The busy Freya will be baking cakes for the police, fire service and paramedics as well as visiting the maternity unit at the Conquest Hospital this week.

Follow all of Freya’s acts on her Facebook page: Freya24acts.

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