A DALE youngster who is passionate about the environment has been awarded a Blue Peter “green badge” for podcasts she has produced on climate activism.
Ten-year-old Merry Lambert-Sams, from Cotherstone, was “delighted” to receive her Blue Peter badge just before Christmas.
Some 22,000 badges from the flagship BBC television programme are handed out each year to youngsters between the ages of six and 15. The iconic blue badges have been awarded to youngsters since 1963.
Since 2017 the badges, which come in six different colours – blue, purple, orange, silver, gold and green – recognise the efforts of youngsters in different fields.
Merry, who has been called the “Greta of the North”, was awarded a green badge, which is made from recycled yoghurt pots, for her commitment to the environment.
During the past year she has set up a podcast called Kids’ Climate Podcast, which is streamed on Spotify and Apple, and contributed to writing a petition asking Barnard Castle Town Council to declare a climate emergency.
She also helped set up a local eco group, Cotherstone River and Marine Society (CRAMS), and works with her primary school on environmental issues, including raising awareness about the use of glitter, which is made from plastic.
Not only will she be able to wear her badge with pride, it will also enable her to visit more than 200 attractions for free in the new year.
