Livingston school takes home top environmental prize for second year running
Harrysmuir Primary in Livingston have scooped the gold award at the national Big Hog Friendly Litter Pick Challenge for an amazing second time.
![Harrysmuir award Harrysmuir pupils and volunteers after litter pick](https://westlothian.gov.uk/image/59471/Harrysmuir-award/standard.jpg?m=1703068874380)
The eco-friendly school won the challenge's Primary award category, which is run by Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS) UK and funded by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society.
With the support of West Lothian Litter Pickers, Harrysmuir P4 and P7 pupils carried out a day of litter picking in the local area in October. P5 pupils also litter picked around the school grounds and during the Community Tree Planting day run by Woodland Trust.
In total, 37 bags of litter were collected during the challenge period by the 130 pupils and adults who took part.
Mrs Elaine Carder, Principal Teacher at Harrysmuir, said: "Pupils at Harrysmuir Primary are always keen to look after their local environment and help support the wildlife there. Winning the Litter Challenge for the second year running was amazing.
"Last year we collected 78 bags of rubbish and we were delighted to see that this year we only collect 37 during the same period, which is less than half, so maybe the message about not littering is getting out there.
"The school already has been awarded the Gold Hedgehog Friendly Schools Award for 2022-2023 and taking part in this Litter Pick Challenge is continuing this good work, I am very proud of our pupils and the work they have done to help hedgehogs and our community."