Attenborough backing for the pupils who want to give up their Red Noses
CHILDREN at a primary school are refusing to wear red noses for Comic Relief because the novelties are single-use plastic. The young activists were inspired to make a stand after watching David Attenborough’s Blue Planet series highlighting the threat that plastic waste poses to the world’s oceans. They wrote an open letter to Comic Relief in which they pledged their support for its annual fundraising day on Friday, but criticised its iconic red noses. The charity wrote back to assure them it was ‘removing and reducing plastics’ from other products and that it was reviewing the materials it used. But the children at Fourlanesend Community Primary School in Torpoint, Cornwall, then received a letter from Sir David, telling them: ‘I think you are perfectly correct to raise the question of replacing plastic products wherever we can and I hope you get an adequate answer from Comic Relief.’ The pupils will still be taking part in activities to raise money for Comic Relief, but instead of buying the plastic red noses, they have been challenged to come up with their own alternatives. Some plan to paint their noses red, while others have made origami or knitted substitutes. In their letter, they said: ‘We find it surprising that the BBC is still marketing red plastic foam noses – essentially just another form of single-use plastic which will probably be worn for one day before ending up in landfill. ‘Many of our pupils participate in beach-cleans where they see the impact of plastic waste.’ Comic Relief replied: ‘Red Noses raise a huge amount of money. We spend a lot of time coming up with bespoke designs for each Red Nose Day as we try to create collectible toys which people will keep well beyond the day itself. ‘Nonetheless, we recognise our responsibility to ensure all our campaign products are as environmentally friendly as possible. ‘As well as removing and reducing plastics from a range of our items already we’re already working with an ethical sourcing specialist to review materials.’ Headteacher Rebecca Norton said the pupils were delighted to receive Sir David’s support, adding: ‘The children were buzzing because, to them, it’s something really important. They were thrilled to bits. ‘I’m so proud. It shows children really do have the best ideas.’