A mum has shared her admiration for her two children who are on a mission to fix our environment – once piece of rubbish at a time.

Mum-of-two Andrea Davis was left baffled after her two kids, Imogen, 11 and Declan, eight, asked for nothing but gloves and litter pickers in their Christmas stockings.

For the 35-year-old, she believes putting a focus on teaching kids to be respectful of everything around them – inside and outside the home – is essential.

According to Planet Patrol, an environmental campaign, over 85,000 pieces of litter were found across the UK in coastlines, waterways and land in 2021.

Now, Imogen, who is on the eco council at her school, along with brother Declan, are using their "obsession" to help clear up their local area – and fix our environment.

“I am very proud, as I think it’s great what they’re doing, especially as they are setting an example,” Andrea, a healthcare recruiter from Birmingham, told NeedToKnow.Online.

“I wish others cared about their surroundings as much as Imogen and Declan do.

“They are both massive animal lovers and feel as though wildlife could come to harm if there’s lots of rubbish around.

“[When they asked] for the litter pickers, I was very keen to get them, as I knew they would get used – unlike the other usual things kids get for Christmas.

“They loved them and were going around the house, opening doors and picking up random items from around the house.”

The pair began their hobby back in May 2022 through the half-term break after they started to become bored while Andrea was working from home.

Alongside playing computer games and football, they wanted to occupy themselves with a brand new activity and settled on picking up the litter scattered across their garden.

Soon, they had cleared up their local area of any litter and their efforts have been recognised through their community.

Andrea said: “A lovely lady knocked on my door and she asked if they were my children.

“She asked to take a photo of them and put it in our local community group, where the comments went mad.

“People were saying the nicest things and the children thought they were Facebook famous.”

In the post, which has racked up nearly 1,000 likes and hundreds of comments, both Declan and his friend is pictured with two carrier bags and two litter pickers in tow.

Users flocked to the comments, with many locals sharing their appreciation for the kids' efforts.

Heather Person said: "Good job lads well done."

"Great job. Well done. A very big thank you for caring for our neighbourhood," said another user.

Lesley Long added: "Awesome job well done lads," followed by a clapping emoji.

"That's awesome," someone else commented.

Tina Pritchard added: "Good lads bell you both. Mum is proud of you we are glad there is still good kids about."

Now, they’re continuing on their mission and Andrea hopes their hard work will encourage other children to take part.

She added: “I believe their thoughts on the environment and littering will rub off on other children when they see them doing it.

“Declan’s friend is already joining in with them on a weekly basis.

“When we are driving, they always point out if areas look run down with lots of rubbish and they jump out to make it look clean.

“Mainly after bin day, there’s lots of rubbish around, so after school they venture out to fix this.

“I didn’t think it was so unusual for kids to care about their surroundings – but it’s making a change for the better, one piece of rubbish at a time.”

ENDS

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