Littlehampton Morrisons’ Little Sunshine award winners revealed

Three girls who have gone out of their way to help people during the pandemic have been presented with the Little Sunshine award by Morrisons in Littlehampton.
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The children are pupils at Arundel Church of England School and they were nominated by head teacher Andrew Simpson.

Alison Whitburn, the Littlehampton store’s community champion, visited the school this morning to present them with their prizes.

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She said: “We were asked to choose a Little Sunshine from the children who have played a part in supporting our community during the pandemic.

Alison Whitburn, the Littlehampton store’s community champion, with Little Sunshine award winners Milly Parkhouse, Maddy Mackrell and Amelia MackrellAlison Whitburn, the Littlehampton store’s community champion, with Little Sunshine award winners Milly Parkhouse, Maddy Mackrell and Amelia Mackrell
Alison Whitburn, the Littlehampton store’s community champion, with Little Sunshine award winners Milly Parkhouse, Maddy Mackrell and Amelia Mackrell

“I chose three in the end and went to the school to present them with their prizes and certificates.

“Every Morrisons store is doing this, so there will be more than 400 Little Sunshines overall.”

Milly Parkhouse, ten, organised a reverse advent calendar for the homeless and got children to donate gifts. She also did litter picks in the area on her walks.

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Maddy Mackrell, ten, and her sister Amelia, seven, organised a collection for My Sisters’ House at the store and sent postcards to people in the area to cheer them up.

All three encouraged the whole school to get involved.

The Little Sunshine award was launched as part of the supermarket’s recent ‘hope’ campaign.

The winner at Morrisons in Worthing was seven-year-old Harry Ragless, who followed in Captain Sir Tom Moore’s footsteps to raise money for NHS Charities Together.

Harry, who has spina bifida, usually spends 80 per cent of his time in a wheelchair and has neurological damage to his legs and back, so he cannot feel his feet.

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He decided to raise money for the NHS by walking with his frame and leg supports, and completed his challenge last April.

Proud mother Selina Ragless said he had shocked them all with the distance he achieved, because he tired easily due to his condition.

Jo Easey, the Worthing store’s community champion, said: “I knew straightaway this little man deserved it. He raised more than £6,000 for the NHS and goes through more than most adults could cope with but always has a smile on his face.

“This past year has been so hard on us all but the children have been true heroes. Their whole life has been turned upside down but they have smashed it time and time again.

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“This little man is a ray of sunshine for everyone who meets him.”

The hope campaign launched with Seeds of Hope, which saw Alison and Jo giving away packets of sunflower seeds to customers in store.

David Potts, Morrisons chief executive, said: “This has been a very difficult year for our country and this winter has seemed especially dark and tough.

“So as spring arrives, and with Covid seemingly in retreat, we want to help celebrate the growing sense of national optimism by planting these sunflowers across the UK, representing the brighter and lighter times of hope ahead.”

To continue to spread messages of hope, Morrisons community champions launched the Little Sunshine award to recognise people who have gone above and beyond in their community throughout the pandemic.

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