A trio of dedicated and hardworking volunteers have nearly finished hand painting and varnishing 200 rocks to be hidden in and around the city of Bangor this August. 

The Bangor Kindness Rock group, who have their own page on Facebook with over one thousand members, decided to set up the “Great Summer Bug hunt” following the success of similar hunt and hide competition at Easter.

 

The group paint and hide kindness rocks for people to find and either keep or re-hide in an attempt to not only encourage local citizens of Bangor to enjoy their local surroundings, but to get the youngsters engaged in something that involves a bit of walking and some fresh air. Finding a kindness rock can also make someone smile and is a lovely surprise for others. Recent finder posted their finds on the page and let the group know what it means to find one…

“We Found this one yesterday on the mermaid statue at the Garden Centre. We are feeling the kindness in the rock – my 5 and 2 year olds were tired and upset, we’d travelled up to visit my dad the night before, got stuck in traffic, and they had an 11pm bedtime! We had a lot of tears yesterday, and then they found this rock. It cheered them up no end!”

“Thank you, I didn’t know about this group but such a lovely idea – it seriously perked me up mentally. Thank you from a rundown Autism Mummy – it means the world to me”

The group have created special rocks for various things including in memory of those killed in the Manchester Bombings, 50th Anniversary of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and National Autism Day. One mum who found a rock created especially for Autism day posted her find and said

The group’s rocks have travelled far and wide across the UK and even overseas internationally with rocks being found and re hidden in Cambodia, Iceland. Disneyland, Spain, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon.  The team are hoping that those found this summer will also travel further afield.

Bangor resident, Beth Hughes who is one of the volunteers said that they decided a summer bug hunt would be fun. “I’ve been painting bugs for a while and suddenly though there’s going to be a bug invasion when I hide these, so why not make a fun activity out of it”.  So the trio set to work.

During the month of August they will hide the stones around various places in the city including the Pier, University Gardens and along the cycle path from Port Penrhyn – there will be other locations too, but they don’t want to make it too easy for you! Beth explained what will happen when you find a rock, “when you find a special bug rock, you will need to take a picture of yourself and the rock and post to the groups Facebook page, you’ll then be given a number and entered into a free prize draw where there will be the chance to win lots of arts and crafts prizes”.

The group have been fundraising for prizes by making personalised rocks for thank you gifts for teachers in exchange for a small donation and also running a bonus ball competition – They are always in need of prizes so if you have anything suitable please let the group know.

What do you do with the rock once you find it? You can keep it if you want but please don’t take them all should you find a few, “We want to get as many people involved in the bug hunt as we can” states Beth. You can also re hide the rock but don’t forget to post a picture first. The trio are looking forward to seeing where their creations end up and wish you all the very best in your bug hunt.

For more information and to follow Bangor Kindness Rocks on Facebook visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/175974649738361