A PRIMARY pupil’s message of hope has brought a smile to villagers feeling cut off due to social distancing restrictions.

Saskia Campo, 11, has been offering free stones painted with positive messages to boost morale in Cressing.

Saskia, who attends the village primary school, has placed the stones on a table outside her home in Jefferys Road to allow passers-by to pick one up and pass them on to anyone self-isolating due to the coronavirus pandemic.

She came up with the idea after leaving bunches of rosemary outside the house, which were soon swapped by neighbours for eggs and home-baked muffins.

Inspired by this act of goodwill, Saskia went on to set up a table which was filled with handmade crafts, including painted stones, bottles with little notes inside, and bracelets.

Mum Jo said: “On the table she left a note asking everyone to help themselves to something, either for themselves or as a gift for someone self-isolating who could do with being cheered up.

“The note also said that she didn’t want anything in return but would love for others to do the same and offer something out the front of their house for their neighbours to help themselves to when on their daily walk.”

The idea has proved a big hit with villagers and has since been shared on social media, not just in Cressing, but across the UK.

Jo added: “I shared some photos on our village Facebook page to let people know what she had done and to encourage them to come and take a look and also shared on the Rainbow Trail Facebook page.

“I can’t believe how many people have been touched by her actions. Within minutes she had hundreds of comments and likes and so many people from all over the country have said that they loved her idea and have decided to do the same thing.

“She has even had people offering to send her gifts by post because they have been so moved by her kindness.

“I have been moved to tears by some of the comments and to see how happy she is just by making others happy is lovely.

“I just think that with all that is going on in the world right now, this really does show how wonderful human beings can be when things get tough.”