Last year, grade five pupils at the school single-handedly painted and decorated six old parking meters which have began sprouting up around the city.

The six kindness meters are old parking meters that are painted green and accept small coin donations.

It’s part of a global movement which encourages residents to put money in the recycled metres, which will then be given to Ballarat welfare agencies to help the city’s most needy.

To date, three of the Ballarat’s Kindness Meters have raised almost $1000 since they were installed at the Bridge Mall earlier this year.

On Wednesday another three Kindness Meters were installed one at the corner of Armstrong and Sturt Streets just outside Myer, one and Ballarat Railway Station and another at the Howitt Street shopping centre. All funds raised will go straight to United Way Ballarat.

United Way chief executive Geoff Sharp said the organisation had been floored by the dedication of the children and generosity of the Ballarat community.  

“This movement is being driven by the children at Alfredton Primary School, they are leading the way for the rest of the community to follow which is incredible,” he said. 

Mr Sharp said the money raised will be divided between the 23 charities United Way Ballarat supports. This includes helping the city’s soaring homelessness population, disability sector and women and children who are victims of family violence.   

Grade 5 teacher Judy Jenkins said the Kindness Meters Ballarat project was started last year and aimed at cutting down on panhandling. She said within the first three weeks people had donated more than $700 to the cause.

“People in Ballarat are so generous,” Ms Jenkins said. “This is a way to get the money around to different organisations that people in need rely on across Ballarat. We are so proud of all the students involved in the project.”

Ballarat Councillor Peter Innes who has been instrumental in getting the project off the ground said he was thrilled by results so far. 

“To see what has been achieved by the community in such a small amount of time is fantastic,” Cr Innes said. “The kids have done a wonderful job and it’s only the beginning of something great.”

For more information go to the Facebook page, Kindness Meters Ballarat.