A WOMAN is helping to put smiles back on people's faces during a national road trip.

Kelly Williams is embarking on a 874-mile journey across the UK, on a three-week mission to spread a little happiness into people's lives after the stresses and strains of the lockdowns and the pandemic.

She spearheads the Spread a Little Sunshine campaign, which aims to support and help people during the coronavirus pandemic, has been lifting their spirits with daily updates on social media since March.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Kelly Williams with her van Sol Kelly Williams with her van Sol

The former Wilsden resident is stopping off at a different location across the UK each day where she encourages people to stop, have a cup of tea and a slice of cake and a chat in a park, sitting on her happy bench. This is after she connects with people on social media to say where she is going to be on any given day.

She started her happiness voyage in John O'Groats, Scotland, on August 1 and is set to finish up in Land's End, Cornwall on August 21.

Locations she has visited in her yellow van, named Sol, so far include Perth, Glasgow, South Shields, Kendal, Stockport, Liverpool and Dewsbury.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

She also met people from Bradford during her stop in Lincoln.

Every Saturday during her road trip she holds a 'play in the park' event where she encourages visitors to bring a football or other games item to the park she is visiting to bring people together.

She stopped in Merthyr Tydfil in Wales on Saturday and will be in Bristol on Monday.

Miss Williams said: "I'm having a great time.

"I'm on a mission to spread kindness and help people. It's a great way to bring people together in person after lockdown.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

"We have all had a rough 18 months and I don't know anyone who has not been affected by it. We have to spread the love now.

"I want to lead by example and get people to follow my lead with this.

"I want to remind everyone that we are human beings and I want to put smiles back on people's faces.

"Human beings are kind. What is important is bringing everyone together.

"It's going really well. I have had friends and family come along. People have come across me on social media and like what I'm doing and meet up with me.

"I'm spreading kindness and bringing people together."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Kelly's van outside Lincoln Cathedral during a stop Kelly's van outside Lincoln Cathedral during a stop

Miss Williams' road trip is self-funded but she has encouraged people who would like to donate towards her petrol and camping costs during the trip to help out. For more information, email thehappybenchproject@gmail.com, go to kellywilliamshappyu.com, go to the Spread a Little Sunshine Facebook page, or The_Happy_Bench on Instagram.

She is also giving nightly video updates on her travels and has also run a series smile-raising events on social media since the first lockdown last year.

She organised a 'Festival of Happiness' last year to spread a little joy across the district.