Lexi’s Eco Journey to a Blue Peter Badge

Article brought to you by Brooke and Faye from the Student Editorial Team

While many people ignore the litter piling up around them, St John Bosco Arts College student Lexi saw a chance to make a difference. This determined Year 9 student turned her love for the outdoors and her disappointment in peoples everyday litter dropping into an opportunity to protect the planet and earned herself a legendary Blue Peter Badge along the way.

Blue Peter is one of the UK’s longest-running children’s television shows, famous for awarding special badges to young people who show creativity, bravery, or make a positive difference — and earning one is considered a huge honour.

We sat down with Lexi to hear about the moment that sparked her eco-mission, the challenges she faced, and why making a difference is easier than you think. Prepare to be inspired by a story that proves no action is too small when it comes to saving our planet.

For anyone who may not know, what is a Blue Peter Badge and why is it special?

The badge is awarded to people for their good actions. There are different badges for different categories too. But not everyone can get one, you have to do something that makes you and your actions stand out from the crowd.

I earned the Green Blue Peter Badge which is for helping make the environment better and healthier place.

What did you do to earn the badge?

I did litter picking especially at spots that I knew would have lots of rubbish laying around and a lot of things that could harm the animals living in the area.

What inspired you to take action for the environment in the first place?

When I saw how badly our environment was being damaged, I wanted to step in and do something about it. It made me really sad to see how people, animals and nature were suffering because of things like climate change, global warming and litter that hurts or even kills innocent animals.

Any particular moments you’ll never let yourself forget?

I was with my dad on Crosby beach and we saw loads of rubbish. There was no way we could just leave it, so we decided to help. We also wanted to show people how easy it is to make a difference, even if you don’t have proper equipment. We found two big sticks, stuck something between them and made our own ‘tweezers’ — it was a fun little bit of creativity!

Oh we also found £5, which I got to keep which was a great bonus! I was very happy!

What’s one tip you’d to students who want to help the environment what would they be?

Just go for it and make that change it doesn’t matter how big or small that change is your still willing to help so it means something and don’t let anyone or anything stop you because in the end they will benefit from your efforts too, then you may start changing some mindsets!

Is there anymore eco plans or big ideas your working on?

Just keep doing what I’m doing because if we don’t do anything now it might be too late and our future generations will be affected if we don’t help now.

If Lexi has inspired you to take action and maybe apply for a Blue Peter badge yourself you can find out more details here: CBBC - Blue Peter Badge