A YOUNG nature lover from Cockfield has been given a national award.
Hot on the heels of being named as County Durham Environment Awards’ young volunteer of the year, Sophie Hebdon collected the Rotary Young Citizen Environmentalist Award, in Birmingham, on Saturday.
The 11-year-old rehabilitates hedgehogs at her home and prepares to return them to the wild by using a former chicken run at her school.
She was nominated for the award by Barnard Castle Rotary Club.
Sophie is currently looking after two hedgehogs – Dusty and Hermoine – in hutches at her home.
Sophie said: “The hedgehogs are doing well, we are currently gathering wild food in the hope that we can release them soon. We give them wild food to see how they respond to food they'll find when they are released. So far things look great and we hope to release next week at some point.
“I'm really proud to receive yet another award for my hard work with the hedgehogs. It's really special to be recognised with such an award.”
Her mum Katy is a member of Teesdale and District Eco Club, which was formed by Rotary.
She said: “I am hugely proud of her achievement and recognition within Rotary. As an Eco Rotary club, to have a young citizen nominated and win such a highly acclaimed award is fantastic and demonstrates our core values at ground level.
“Young people are key to improving the environment, nurturing that interest is vital.
“Sophie has worked hard with her hedgehogs, supporting rescue centres such as A Prickly Problem and Prickly Haven Hedgehog Hotel, as well as raising the awareness of the situation that hedgehogs are currently in, going above and beyond to help a hedgehog in need.”
Rotary club president Colin Dunnighan added: “Rotary’s Young Citizen Awards is a prestigious national scheme that recognises young people who have demonstrated positive citizenship, personal achievements, assumed important responsibilities, undertaken community activities, or otherwise stood out as exceptional.
“We are extremely proud of Sophie, who is an excellent example of those many Teesdale youngsters who are passionate about protecting the environment and are taking action to make a difference. Hopefully, her success will encourage environmental awareness among more young people.”
