Litter-picking 6-year-old is inspirational role model for everyone

The youngster is blazing a trail for not only her peers but everyone in Warrington.

All three nominees in our Child / Teenager of the Year Award category - sponsored by Christeyns - at the Warrington Guardian Inspiration Awards are amazing young people and inspirational role models to everyone around them.

Eimear Slee, a student at Bridgewater High School student, has been blind since birth and is the first visually impaired student to complete the silver Duke of Edinburgh award.

Eleven-year-old Thomas Long-Moore is a brave little boy who showed true courage coming to the rescue of his nan after she was severely attacked by a German Shepherd in their home.

It was Violet Smith who was crowned our Child of the Year for putting a smiling on everyone face as she collects litter on her way to school every day.

Child of the Year Violet Smith

The youngster was so fed up with seeing the mounds of litter on her walk to and from school that she asked her mum to buy her a litter picker so she could “help save the world”.

The nomination for Violet said: “When Violet carries out her daily good deed, passers-by notice and toot their horns in support of her mission.

“Others have thanked and praised her, in admiration for her impressive initiative to help solve the litter problem in Orford.

“Everyone is extremely proud of her – she she is a strong minded young person and wants to make where we live nice and clean.”

It was last year, when Violet was in Year 1 at Beamont Primary School, when she learnt about rubbish and recycling.

She knew she wanted to make a difference in her local community so she decided to clean up the area for everyone to enjoy.

Violet said: “I like it when people beep their horns and wave at me when I’m picking up litter.

“I always wave back.

“Someone gave me some money once while I was litter picking!”

Child of the Year Violet Smith with Leanne Campbell and Sarah Hobbs from Christeyns