Postscript: How Luke Cameron carried on being 'the nicest man in Britain'
Last year Mr Cameron carried out a random act of kindness every day
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Your support makes all the difference.It’s rare for an individual to become a national talking point just for being kind. But last year Luke Cameron earned himself a reputation as “the nicest man in Britain” after he embarked on a challenge to carry out a random act of kindness every day.
The 26-year-old shop assistant from Cheltenham made the decision to perform these selfless acts after a close family friend died from cancer in 2013. His online Good Deed Diary documented every kind gesture he made – from paying for strangers’ coffees and helping his elderly neighbours to giving his colleagues morale-boosting handwritten notes – and attracted thousands of followers.
Nobody would have begrudged him a break after he completed his year of carrying out daily random acts of kindness. But instead of taking time out for himself once he completed his challenge on 31 December, just three days later he began a new full-time role with the ethical energy broker company Utility Aid as a philanthropy manager.
Advertised as “the nicest job in Britain”, it seemed fitting Mr Cameron should land the role following a nationwide competition.
Now he travels the UK visiting and supporting charities and not-for-profit organisations to lend a hand wherever help is needed. He spends every week with a different organisation and intends to visit 45 by the end of the year.
“It was the perfect transition to go from helping individuals to going round the UK helping charities,” Mr Cameron said.
“I love my job, I really do. I don’t feel like I’m working. I’m always smiling and happy. I don’t really have bad days. I’m so grateful for what I have.
“I’ve just finished helping at my 29th charity. I do everything from consulting and marketing to looking after the social media. I’ve spent time at animal rescue centres, I’ve done a 100-mile cycle ride for Help for Heroes with the veterans, flown with the Great Western Air Ambulance, painted hospice rooms – it’s incredible.”
Some people have reacted with suspicion to his seemingly limitless selflessness, Mr Cameron said, but he thinks “the biggest antidote when you have had a bad day is helping someone else in need.”
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