Faith

The story behind Tony's discovery that there's more to Bradford than much recent media coverage might suggest lies in a commission he was given by Hope Bradford, a campaign encouraging Christian churches of all denominations to work together. The commission was part of a nationwide initiative to highlight a million hours of kindness. Tony was asked to photograph 50 acts of kindness in Bradford.

Bat-I About Kidz © Tony O'Connell

Tony says what he saw while he was out and about in Bradford challenges what many people - some of whom might well never have been there - think of the place: "The city gets a pretty bad press. When people say they're from Bradford they often get a look of pity in return. And yes, the place might be in a bit of a mess but the people are really special."

Tony says: "We wanted to represent the whole of the community in Bradford. It wasn't just done from a Christian point of view. What I found surprising was that people were reluctant to come out of the woodwork. They didn't believe they were doing anything special. They said, 'It's just what we do'".

The project has taken Tony as far as Gambia where a Bradford organisation builds and supports schools.

Tony says: "I have seen some extraordinary things and it's made me realise that a single gesture of kindness is what makes the wheels go round. I have not yet met a miserable volunteer. They were all an incredibly positive bunch of people.

From Bradford to Gambia © Tony O'Connell

"I have made an awful lot of new friends. I met a couple who were helped through a bad patch in their marriage by a local volunteer organisation and now they have asked me to photograph them as they renew their vows."

Tony concludes: "I was born and bred in Bradford and I am proud to come from the city. Doing this project has left me heartened and inspired."

Tony's photographs will be shown on the BBC Big Screen in Bradford from June onwards and he will also be exhibited at Kala Sangam, St Peters House, Bradford throughout the summer starting with a celebration of volunteering on 6th June 2009.