Pictured at the opening of the Viking for Schools eco-garden at Scoil Naisunta Naomh Brid in Downings, Co. Donegal is ten year old pupil Paddy Gallagher who won the prize of the €10,000 eco-garden in the 2012 Viking for Schools Litter Litterbugs competition encouraging children to think about the environmental impact of classroom rubbish. Paddy is pictured with Michael Walby, Director of Viking in Ireland, Helena Gallagher, Paddy's mum and Brid Byrne, principal, Scoil Naisunta Naomh Brid.
An artistic schoolboy from Co. Donegal has won his classmates a €10,000 eco-garden, after wowing judges with his winning design of a ‘little litterbug.’
Paddy Gallagher, aged 10, from S.N. Naomh Brid in Downings won the Viking for Schools ‘Little Litterbug’ drawing competition – beating off stiff competition from 500 entries from across schools in Ireland.
The competition asked for pupils to draw a little litterbug – a creature or machine that is able to recycle classroom rubbish.
Judges from schools supplier Viking and competition partner, European Recycling Platform (ERP), praised Paddy’s “Litterbug 5000” because of its environmentally friendly way of reusing classroom materials. Paddy’s design showcased creativity and incorporated eco-friendly elements such as reduced noise pollution and wind power.
The Little Litterbug competition was open to pupils 11 years and under encouraging children across the country to think about the environmental impact from their classroom rubbish.
The winning entry was built by well-known Donegal gardeners Highland Landscapes.
Michael Walby, Director of Viking in Ireland, said: “It was incredibly hard to judge from the short listed entries but we felt that Paddy’s “Litterbug 5000” was a fantastic idea and we were impressed by the consideration and creative flare that he had put into his design. The Little Litterbug competition has been a great opportunity for children to learn more about how they can help the environment and make their school more eco-friendly.”
Yvonne Holmes, Head of Corporate Communications at ERP Ireland added: “We had a truly difficult job choosing the winner, but we were amazed by the thought and attention to detail that Paddy and all of the children who entered the competition put into their designs. We are so pleased with the winning design; it has such a fantastic concept and really embraces the sustainable message of the competition.”
