A TEENAGER from Maldon has won an environmental award recognising her hard work to create sustainable change in her community.

Nicole Kaczynska, 14, has been awarded the Jack Petchey Environmental Award, after encouraging her friends to join the RePlume Club at her school, the Plume Academy in Maldon.

The club aims to make the school more environmentally friendly, whilst teaching pupils the importance of being environmentally friendly.

Nicole worked hard, implementing various positive changes across the school, including a lights out policy and organising a textile clothing bank.

Nicole also started a RePlume article within the school’s newsletter and was part of an upcycling ‘Trashion Show’.

The Jack Petchey Foundation has worked alongside schools and youth groups across Maldon, since its funding first started. The Foundation has provided £174,000 in funding to schools and youth clubs.

The Jack Petchey Foundation was founded 1999 by Sir Jack Petchey, to highlight and commemorate the positive contributions young people make to their community.

Since its founding, The Foundation has supported more than 2,000 inititatives for young people across both London and Essex, investing more than £150million while doing so.

Sir Jack Petchey CBE, 96, said: “I am passionate about our awards scheme which enables young people to be recognised, valued and rewarded for their achievements and positive contributions to society.” 

Gemma Juma, Chief Executive Officer of the Jack Petchey Foundation said: “At the Jack Petchey Foundation, young people inspire us all the time with the incredible work they do.

“We want to recognise more young people across London and Essex doing inspirational things to improve their local environment.

“We hope these Environmental Awards will motivate others and showcase the positive things young people do every day to help create a sustainable future.”

A young person can be nominated for the award following any positive actions that benefit their community.

This can range from volunteering in a community garden or charity, to taking part in a clean up scheme, to starting a recycling initiative.

To nominate a young person for the community award, visit https://bit.ly/3ryxNDI.