A thrilled schoolgirl aged eight was presented with a brand new £350 bike by Erewash’s Mayor – for a clean air poster she designed in a contest aimed at getting drivers to switch off their engines when stationary.
Environmentally conscious Ivy Marriott was among pupils across the borough who showed off their artistic skills to spread the “anti-idling” message.
Judges were wowed by her entry featuring sad youngsters looking at a parked car belching fumes. The winning poster bears the catchy message: “Don’t leave your car idle, my health is vital!”
Ivy was invited to Long Eaton Town Hall to formally receive her prize from Mayor Cllr Harry Atkinson, who congratulated the Sandiacre youngster.
She is a pupil at the local Cloudside Academy. Her poster has been turned into an outdoor banner that all primary schools in the borough can display.
Proud Ivy exclaimed as she was presented with the gleaming bike: “I love it! I can’t wait to get to the park to try it out.”
Cllr Mark Alfrey, who is Erewash’s Lead Member for Environment, said: “Allowing a car to idle for two minutes uses the same fuel as driving for a mile – which is why we want to get the ‘switch it off’ message to motorists such as parents doing the school run.
“We were impressed by the terrific standard of entries in our poster competition – but Ivy’s really stood out.”
The contest was funded by DEFRA’s Air Quality Grant Scheme, which supports local authorities to help improve air quality.
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