MEMBERS of the Ysgol Clywedog Eco-Taskforce returned from London last week, clutching a host of wins from the Dr Jane Goodall Roots and Shoots Awards 2023.

Dr Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots is a global education programme for young people encouraging children to implement practical positive change for people, animals and the environment.

Ysgol Clywedog Eco-Taskforce was set up in 2019 and has 50 volunteers that meet each Friday. The group has planted 800 trees, run an allotment, manage three bee hives, carried out international work with Spain and Lebanon, made videos and took part in a TEDx talk. This work has won them numerous national and international awards, but these from Dr Jane Goodall are the most special.

Read more: Schools mark St David's Day in a blaze of colour

Five selected pupils from the group - Chanelle Maxted, Hollie Reid, Rhianna Edwards, Jay Williams, Lily Blackwell - joined youngsters from nine other schools and universities from the UK that had been shortlisted from more than 1,500 other members. They had the opportunity to show off their great work and talk to VIPs, including Dr Jane. Following this, the delegates attended a Trashion Show, with clothes made from household waste and the main event, the awards.

Read more: Primary school staff take on hospice's canal walk

With four awards available, pupils were shocked to be awarded three. The whole group won Roots and Shoots Gold Award for services to people, animals and the environment. They were also given a special cheque for £1,500 from The DO School to help continue their work on positive climate action and Race to Zero.

Lily Blackwell, who won Most Outstanding Individual.

Lily Blackwell, who won Most Outstanding Individual.

Finally Lily, Year 10, won a very special award for the Most Outstanding Individual. As one of the founders of the Eco-Taskforce, Lily was awarded this for her work in environment, child mental health and progressive thinking.

Her latest project is to build a greenhouse out of waste plastic bottles to grow food for families that are struggling in the current cost of living crisis. Along with a trophy and a certificate, Lily was given a signed Dr Jane Barbie doll with the personal inscription 'For Lily, Together we can change the world, Jane Goodall'. Lily will also be taking part in a one-to-one mentor session with Dr Jane later in the year.

Read more: Another chapter in the region's World Book Day celebrations

Lily said: "Meeting Dr Jane was a true honour. When my name was called I went into autopilot. The whole thing was a blur. I can't wait to see the video back so I can really enjoy the moment."

Nicholas Brown, Eco-taskforce co-ordinator at the Wrexham high school, said: "All the teachers and staff at Ysgol Clywedog are so proud of the pupils in the group.

"They are dedicated to making change in the world, and have repeatedly shown that pupils from a comprehensive school from Wrexham, not only compete with other pupils from across the world, but lead the way. Today they have been recognised for their work at the highest level."