NICOLA Ewens is proving to be as inspirational as renowned broadcaster David Attenborough in educating people to ‘be the change’.

The assistant headteacher at Markland Hill is the first ever winner of the Environmentalist Year of the Award, for educating young people about protecting the planet and all of its inhabitants.

She has led many projects within the school, with the school winning a Surfers Against Sewage Award. Work includes eliminating the use of ketchup sachets in school kitchens across Bolton and reducing single use plastic.

Mrs Ewens said:”I am absolutely delighted to have won the award and to be recognised for my efforts in campaigning for the future of our planet, supported by the pupils, parents, staff and governors at Markland Hill. The pupils say that I am very passionate about saving our Earth supported by their enthusiasm, commitment and their desire to be the change, the National Campaign Award we won from Surfers Against Sewage. They say that I taught them how to be eco-warriors and they went on to lead their own Eco Club, carrying out litter picks in the community.”

She added: “The actions that they are taking to convince their families, friends and people to make changes no matter how small to protect the world and make the world a better for future generations eg shouting at my mum for putting plastic in general waste, reminding my cousins to turn things off to save electricity, to teach people to have a caring attitude to the environment by not dropping litter, making sure all my family recycle, teach my younger brother, anti litter trash mobs, using reusable water bottles. We have campaigned to the schools meals service to stop the use of single use ketchup sachets in all schools in Bolton.”

Nine-year-old pupils Molly Kearney and Ava Smith collected the award on behalf of Mrs Ewens.

Molly said: “I am passionate about saving the environment because we live on this earth and if we harm it, there is no going back. Learning about the climate crisis in school has inspired me to develop my passion for the environment.

“I wanted to set up an Eco-Club in our school to teach our schoolmates how important the earth means to use and that they should be passionate and caring.”

Ava added: “I have always been an animal love but when I found out about the climate crisis I knew I had to do something, I was inspired by Greta Thunberg and her actions. She is inspiring because someone so young can make such a big difference.

“School was very supportive when me and my friend decided to set up an Eco-Club at lunchtimes to spread our passion of helping the environment to other students.”