Nine-year-old Hannah Donoghue named Edinburgh’s Young Sustainability Hero by Fort Kinnaird

# What happened

# Why Hannah stood out Hannah's entry highlighted everyday habits made routine. She regularly goes out with a litter picker and invites friends to join. Neighbours have rewarded her for helping keep the area clean. At home she turns recycling into craft projects, grows peppers and tomatoes, and helps care for the family garden. She is also choosing greener travel: she recently started cycling to the supermarket using a trailer and plans to ride her bike to school.

# The prize and purpose of the competition As winner, Hannah received a family day out at Fort Kinnaird that included a trip to ODEON, a meal at Frankie & Benny's, and an eco-activity bundle designed to help her continue sustainability projects at home. The competition aimed to recognise and encourage practical actions by young children such as recycling, litter-picking, saving water and supporting wildlife.

# Fort Kinnaird's sustainability context Fort Kinnaird framed the celebration within its own sustainability work. The centre supports local biodiversity through wildflower planting and on-site beehives. It reports sending zero waste to landfill since 2018 and recycling more than 260 tonnes. The centre also says it runs on 98% renewable energy.

Liam Smith, the centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said Hannah's nomination stood out because of the variety of things she already does — litter-picking, encouraging friends, growing food, reusing materials and choosing to cycle. He said the centre hopes Hannah and her family enjoyed celebrating her efforts.

# What this shows in practice This story is a short, concrete example of how small, consistent actions by a child can be recognised and supported by a local organisation. It illustrates several practical behaviours parents or community groups can encourage in young children: regular litter-picking sessions, turning recyclables into crafts, involving children in gardening and providing safe options for cycling to local shops or school.

# What comes next Hannah has the eco-activity bundle to continue projects at home, and she hopes to cycle to school in the new term. Fort Kinnaird continues its public-facing sustainability programmes and community engagement through seasonal activities.