GIVING IS GOOD FOR YOUR ELF
A MYSTERY toy elf brought Christmas joy to a community by encouraging locals to carry out random acts of kindness during the festive period.
The “kindness elf”, called Abbey, was dropped off at a different home in Newburgh, Fife, every day in the run-up to Christmas.
The elf carried instructions asking the householder to “put a smile on someone’s face”.
Villagers rose to the challenge by donating to local charities and a food bank and helping others in need.
The woman behind Abbey decided to remain anonymous.
She said: “I was joking with my family about the elf on a shelf and what it would be like if it was running around town.
“That quickly turned into wondering what would happen if we sent one around the village to ask people to do good. “I randomly chose someone who I reckoned would know what to do and left the elf on their doorstep.
“Everyone has risen to the challenge, with many going above and beyond what the elf asked.
“The elf seems to have given people a push to do something kind.
“It has helped people raise money for lots of charities and donate to the local food bank.
“And because people have seen the elf doing it, they have been donating as well.
“It’s a very small village but it’s got a big heart.”
The good deeds include children handing out mince pies to residents in a care home and bouquets of flowers being given to nurses and lollipop ladies.
Money was also raised for a child with cerebral palsy who is in desperate need of treatment.
Sharon Wilson, 37, delivered Christmas cards on behalf of elderly people in the area when she got her hands on Abbey.
She said: “We haven’t got a clue where the elf came from.”