Young Ellesmere Port eco-champion inspires community clean-up with local MP

An eight-year-old schoolboy’s call for action was answered after he asked his MP to join him on a neighbourhood litter pick.

Jackson Lannigan, aged 8, wrote to Ellesmere Port and Bromborough MP Justin Madders about the alleyway running from Pooltown Road to Morrisons near his home in Whitby, Ellesmere Port.

He was concerned about rubbish, including smashed glass, which he feared could injure a young child or an animal’s paws.

Determined to do something, Jackson and his mum Leanne first set out with brooms and bin bags, but quickly realised the job was too big for two people.

In his email, Jackson, who attends Rossmore School in Little Sutton, explained:

“I would like to keep people safe from glass and make it a nice place to go because I feel a little scared sometimes walking through there with my mum."

Jackson asked for the MP’s help and his words struck a chord with Mr Madders who regularly gets involved with litter-picks across his constituency.

He and local councillors Karen Shore (Central and Grange), Paul Donovan (Sutton Villages) and Bob Bisset (Central and Grange), turned up with litter pickers and bags to make short work of the alleyway alongside Jackson and his mum.

Mr Madders said:

“It’s great to see someone so young who cares about the environment and the place where they live. Jackson’s parents Leanne and Chris must be very proud.

“Jackson is living proof that you’re never too young to make a difference.”

Jackson’s mum Leanne added:

“When he got an email back, Jackson was just beaming. He told all his friends over the summer holidays that he was doing this with Justin Madders.

“I was saying to Jackson he should try for the school parliament because he’s got a friendly face and commitment.”

Pictured - Justin Madders MP with Jackson Lannigan, eight, and his mum Leanne at the end of the alleyway they cleared, near Morrisons, on Chester Road, Ellesmere Port.