A nine-year-old girl who won the competition to design a ‘recycling champion’ for East Cambridgeshire will spend her winnings on art resources for her school.
Brooke Smith, a Year 4 pupil at Littleport Community Primary School, put pen to paper last year to come up with the superhero Michael Recycle.
Michael has since become the central character in East Cambridgeshire District Council’s recycling campaign.
Brooke’s school received £100 as part of her prize and it will be spent on pens, paints and watercolour brushes to “help boost pupil creativity”.
John Cattermole, headteacher, said: “Art is Brooke’s favourite subject and she would like other children to benefit from some new resources in school.
“Recycling is very important to us at Littleport Community Primary School and we were delighted that Brooke was the competition winner - her design hangs proudly in our school entrance.
“Whenever we see a recycling lorry in the community with Brooke’s design on it and our school logo we are naturally very proud.”
Councillor David Ambrose Smith, chairman of the community services committee and ward member for Littleport East, joined Michael Recycle and officers from the waste team at East Cambs District Council to present the school with its prize money.
Cllr Smith said: “Brooke demonstrated creativity, innovation and personality in her winning design and Michael Recycle has had a huge impact on our region fronting a recycling campaign that is designed to educate and inspire.
“As a local member, I am delighted that Littleport Community Primary School have supported this campaign with such passion and I hope that Brooke is proud of what she has achieved.”
In 2017 Brooke’s design was brought to life by an illustrator and costume designer.
After winning, Mr Cattermole said: “We are thrilled for Brooke who has a natural artistic flair.
“To see one of our pupils rewarded for hard work and talent is wonderful and it was very special to see her face when her name was called out.”
Councillor Julia Huffer, council waste champion, announced the winner at an assembly held at Brooke’s school last year.
At the time she said: “We received hundreds of entries to our competition but Brooke’s stood out to the judging panel with its bright colours and sheer personality.
“We are very excited to be introducing Michael to the world.”
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