A Fairbourne schoolgirl who launched a campaign to ban plastic toys in comics and magazines has won an award for her efforts.
Skye Neville has been named Youth Activist of the Year at the Plastic Free Awards 2021.
The 10-year-old, whose petition has attracted 64,938 signatures, was nominated alongside Kids Against Plastic and Aditya Mukarji for the Youth Activist Award, one of 12 presented during an online ceremony on Thursday, 17 June.
Skye, whose campaign received support from Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts, MS Eluned Morgan and Waitrose supermarket, was delighted to be announced this year’s winner.
Accepting her award at home, Skye said: “Thank you to 64,000 people who signed my petition and agreed with me, and Waitrose for agreeing with me, and Common Seas, and Surfers Against Sewage, Kids Against Plastic and especially my best friend Chloe who has been really supportive.”
Unable to contain his excitement and bursting with pride, Skye’s dad David joined her on-screen.
Hugging his daughter, he added: “Thank you, thank you everybody. Amazing!”
The award organisers said: “Thank you to all the eco-warriors, judges, sponsors and all involved in holding the Plastic Free Awards 2021. We were blown away with the stories and battles won over this especially hard year and cannot wait to see what victories next year brings.”
Skye’s campaign attracted the attention of Waitrose.
Inspired by her, the supermarket announced in March this year it would ban plastic toys in children’s magazines.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts also offered her support to Skye’s campaign.
Mrs Saville Roberts has tabled a motion in Westminster, also in March, paying tribute to Skye’s campaigning work.
The motion asked: “That this House recognises the efforts of 10-year-old Skye Neville for her campaign encouraging magazine and comic publishers to stop giving away plastic toys with their publications; further recognises that nearly 3,000 people have so far signed her online petition drawing attention to the devastating impact discarded plastic is having on our oceans and natural environment; applauds Skye for he passionate advocacy of environmental issues, her involvement in local litter picks and her family’s commitment to recycling; welcome steps by fast food giant McDonalds to stop putting plastic toys in their Happy Meals; and calls on the government to encourage publishers to make their magazines more environmentally friendly and reduce their carbon footprint.”
MS Eluned Morgan also backed the young campaigner’s cause in March, and held an online meeting with Skye and her dad to discuss ways Welsh Government can take steps to reduce plastic magazine pollution.
To add your signature to Skye’s petition, visit http://chng.it/jrBndKMx.
The Plastic Free Awards 2021 can be seen in full at www.plasticfree awards.com/