A Rookwood pupil has been praised online after spreading a little bit of sunshine into the lives of Andover residents.

Pupils at the school were set a challenge by the acting head of the lower school to be productive this half-term by doing something 100 times.

Eight-year-old Rio decided to distribute 100 personalised cards amongst his neighbouring residents in Andover with personalised sunshine cards, which he hand crafted himself.

He was praised as “a star” for “putting a big smile on all of our faces” by people on social media.

The challenge was set by the acting head of Rookwood’s lower school, Claire Nias, who was inspired by the late Captain Sir Tom Moore, who set out to walk 100 laps of his garden to raise money for NHS charities. She asked her students to set themselves a challenge during half-term, and to do that challenge 100 times to raise awareness of something they care about.

Rio decided to “brighten up people’s days” through his sunshine cards, which he produced and delivered to 100 people around his area of Andover.

One card said: “Hello, my name is Rio. I am aged eight and I go to Rookwood School. I have set myself a challenge to brighten up people’s days.

“This sunshine is especially for you!”

His sunshine cards have been a hit, with plenty of praise online from recipients of the cards and those who heard about them. One resident said: "You're just the right person to spread sunshine because you are indeed a star! Don't ever change!"

Another said: "I have to say it put a big smile on all of our faces and it's lovely that one of your students is taking the time to do this and make people smile in such difficult times".

Other pupils also did great work during half-term, with 10-year-old highlights Harry, raising £135 for Julia’s House, Scotty’s Little Soldiers and the NHS by running 35km in total; while Henry, aged seven, raised £95 for Two Saints Andover and £55 for Andover Hospital by running 100 laps around his garden.

On hearing that he has made such an impact on the local community in Andover, Rio said: "Really! Wow! That’s amazing! My challenge has definitely been a success, I never imagined my sunshines could brighten up so many people’s days!”