AN EIGHT-year-old girl from Bradford has been praised after using her time in lockdown to show generosity, after creating a scheme which recognises the resilience of children in her community.

Esme Rees, from Thornton, has created the 'NHS Little Hero' award, intended to celebrate the strength of those children who have key worker parents or guardians.

Esme started the scheme after seeing how some children in her peer group have faced struggles in recent months, as a consequence of coronavirus and the subsequent lockdown.

Her NHS Little Hero award will see children receive a badge and a certificate, to recognise the strength they have shown in the face of adversity.

"My family and neighbours were all doing the clap for carers on a Thursday evening, and I began to wonder about all the key workers' children. What about them?", said Esme.

"My cousin's mum is a nurse and he had to move to his dad's house and not see his mum for many weeks. I couldn't imagine being without my mum for that long and I thought about all the other children who are being so brave.

"I was thinking about how worried they might feel every time their parent goes to work, wondering if they might get coronavirus. When I get worried, I can see my mum or dad and tell them about it, but they can't do that if their mum or dad are away. I thought we could make an award for all of those children, so that they are noticed too."

Esme, who is working towards her 'speaking out' badge with the Brownies, contacted her local ward councillor, Councillor Richard Dunbar, who gave her advice on how to develop the scheme further, and also secured vital funding for the project.

He said: “I was instantly impressed by Esme's compassion and determination to think about how COVID-19 has affected the children of NHS and care workers.

"We all know these workers are heroes, but I don’t think anyone would disagree with how difficult this time must have been for children of these workers to not see mum or dad for extended periods.

"This scheme aims to let those children know that they are special and their sacrifice has not gone unnoticed. We hope this will put a smile on the faces of many children in our area.

"A big well done Esme, I look forward to seeing what you achieve as you get older."

Chair of Bradford West Area Committee, Councillor Mohammed Amran, also added: “Well done to Esme. She has had a great idea which will no doubt give a much needed boost to the children who receive the award in the Thornton, Allerton and Sandy Lane areas.

"She should be very proud of her achievements, and I hope she goes on to gain her speaking out badge at Brownies."

Any NHS or care sector workers from Thornton, Allerton or Sandy Lane who want to nominate their children for a NHS Little Hero award can email bradfordwestinfo@bradford.gov.uk, with their postal address, the job they do and the name and age of their child, by 5pm on Friday 10 July. Every child nominated, aged 14 and under, will receive an award.