Mansfield Mayor Andy Abrahams attended a primary school pupil’s assembly today (Monday 10 October) along with members of the Community Safety team to commend her for litter picking in the district.
Sophie Wells is just seven years old and began her campaign to clean up the streets after walking her dog with her mum near Westfield Lane and noticing rubbish on their route. They came back the following night, armed with rubbish bags, and cleared the area.
Since then, Sophie has already covered over a mile near her home and filled four bags of rubbish.
The presentation took place at Farmilo School, off Chesterfield Road, and saw the Mayor present Sophie with a pink high-vis and matching litter-picking stick, and swimming vouchers for her efforts.
Sophie’s mum Kath Wells said her daughter’s work had made her family think about the broader implications that leaving litter causes, commenting, “we all need to be a bit like Sophie”.
She said: “Sophie constantly comments on littering and asks why people do it. On holiday she was mortified that there was rubbish in the harbour; she is very aware of her surroundings.
“Now the nights are drawing in, Sophie is keen to do her litter picks when she can – even asking if she can take some bags to school with her.
“She always says to me, mummy, it’s our community and environment. It’s what we all should be doing to look after it, and as a parent, it just makes you so proud.
“To say she is only seven years old, the values she is learning and embracing from school are being embedded and taken on board.”
Since Sophie began this initiative, Kath says the effect has rubbed off on her siblings too.
She added: “They have all been spurred on by the great work Sophie is doing, saying how amazing she is, and it is making them think twice too. I hope she continues with this can-do attitude throughout her life.”
Elected Mayor Andy Abrahams remarked on the fantastic work Sophie was doing and said she was an “inspiration”.
He said: “I’ve had a fantastic morning at Farmilo Primary School today; the pupils have been fantastic. Their knowledge about litter, the environment and why you should do your bit was second to none.
“Sophie, what a little superstar she is. She has shown that it’s not words but actions that count. She saw the litter and took it upon herself to go litter-picking, a great inspiration for us all.
“We shouldn’t just walk past litter; we should act, bin it and get involved to make our communities safer.”
Neil Slater, Community Safety Officer at Mansfield District Council, came to the school assembly and shared how proud he was of the work Sophie is doing in the district.
He added: “Sophie is doing her bit in keeping our community safe and we’re very proud of her. It’s nice to see children at such a young age taking an interest in the environment and the community, and we’re so impressed with her work. Well done, Sophie.”
The council promotes campaigns throughout the year encouraging residents to Tidy Together and help make the district a cleaner and greener place where people are proud to live, work and visit.
If you notice fly-tipping or areas becoming litter hot-spots, report it on our website at Mansfield.gov.uk/report