A Gorleston family who are dedicated to "putting smiles on people's faces" said they will be carrying out more random acts of kindness in 2023.

Since 2011, the Hutchinson family have been fundraising for local causes and spreading positive messages through random acts of kindness under the name of Tia's Treasures.

The family's journey began when then six-year-old Tia Hutchinson, now 17, started making bracelets, necklaces, earrings and key rings to raise funds for children with cancer.

The young Tia was inspired to help after a friend lost thier sight in both eyes after being diagnosed with retinoblastoma as an infant.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Tia Hutchinson was voted the Great Yarmouth Mercury's Young Person of the Year for 2021.Tia Hutchinson was voted the Great Yarmouth Mercury's Young Person of the Year for 2021. (Image: Tia's Treasures)

With the help of mum and dad - Lisa and Richard - and siblings Alex, Adam, Jamie, Tommy, and Toby, Tia's Treasures has continued to fundraise and spread positive messages since.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The message in a bottle, written by the Hutchinson family, was found on the beach at Bois de Cise, Ault, France by Jean-Nicolas Dupre and Valentin Noe.The message in a bottle, written by the Hutchinson family, was found on the beach at Bois de Cise, Ault, France by Jean-Nicolas Dupre and Valentin Noe. (Image: Lisa Hutchinson)

Mother Lisa Hutchinson said the charity has had some big moments in 2022, including raising almost £3,000 for the Swaffham-based family charity Home-Start.

The fundraiser culminated in Mr Hutchinson taking part in a skydive in August.

Mrs Hutchinson said: "My husband is madder and braver than me. Not only was it his first skydive, but it was also the first time he'd ever been on a plane.

"Our supporters contributed a substantial amount for Home-Start and we are so grateful to have helped in any way we could."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Richard Hutchinson skydiving in August. He and his family had helped raise almost £3,000 for the Home-Start charity.Richard Hutchinson skydiving in August. He and his family had helped raise almost £3,000 for the Home-Start charity. (Image: Supplied by family)

Tia's Treasures also attended community events at Ormiston Herman Academy, John Grant School and the Gorleston Clifftop Gala.

"We've put a big emphasis on random acts of kindness over the last year," Mrs Hutchinson said. 

"A lot of people have signed up to be one of our kindness ninjas and we have them all over Norfolk and Suffolk. 

"We have a brilliant team working with us and we couldn't have done it without them."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Richard and Lisa Hutchinson.Richard and Lisa Hutchinson. (Image: Archant)

The charity is looking forward to the upcoming twelve months and plans to continue supporting the Home-Start charity in line with Tia's Treasure's twelfth anniversary in May.

Mrs Hutchinson added: "We are also going to keep up the random acts of kindness. This year, we have a rainbow theme to spread hope and positivity.

"We want to continue helping put smiles on people's faces.

"We would really like to thank all of our supporters for everything they have done for us over the past 12 years."

For more information on Tia's Treasures, visit its Facebook page.