Little Sunshine Megan, 11, is awarded by supermarket for community-minded actions

Megan Butler has been held up as a prime example of public-spirited youngsters by Morrisons and was presented with their Little Sunshine Award at a ceremony in the Lincoln Road store in the city on Thursday.

Community Champion for the Morrisons store, Ellie Hardwood explained that Morrisons has been doing lots of work with a new Seeds of Hope campaign, where they have given out 2.5 million packets of seeds nationwide to customers so that they can plant seeds for a brighter future.

Ellie said: “As part of this campaign, we’re looking for ‘Little Sunshines’ in our area who have gone above and beyond.”

Their Little Sunshine Award in Peterborough went to Ravensthorpe Primary School pupil Megan, 11, who has been trying to make her community tidier by litter picking.

During the first lockdown she also donated a length of her hair to the Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for children undergoing cancer treatment, and has been looking after her sick Mum throughout.

Ellie said: “Megan has done an amazing job at trying to keep her family and friend’s spirits high throughout this challenging year.”

As well as the award, Megan was given some seeds, a garden hamper, some water pistols, balloons, sweets and an afternoon tea for two.

Megan loved getting the sunflower seeds and said: “It annoys me that people leave litter and I wish they didn’t do it. I worry about now it affects wildlife.”

She plans to take her mum with her for the afternoon tea gift.

Proud mum Alana said: “She was quite shocked at all the gifts, as we had not told her what was happening.

“She is constantly going around picking up litter and putting it in bins.” She said Megan has also joined in community litter picks.

“Then she heard about the Little Princess Trust when she watched a Youtube video and decided to cut her hair for that,” said Alana.

“During the pandemic she was making sure all her friends were OK and happy - she is just a caring person. She never asks for anything herself.

“We brought our children up to respect the community and respect their elders, but she seems to go above and and beyond and doesn’t need prompting.”