The Young Person of the Year in the Times Awards 2021 is Holly Steward from Dereham.

Holly was a real inspiration in 2021, setting up the Dereham Community Litter Pick Group with her mum, Laura, in a bid to clean up her town.

Dereham Times: The Dereham Community Litter Pick Group has been working hard to clean up the townThe Dereham Community Litter Pick Group has been working hard to clean up the town (Image: Laura Steward)

The group has been a huge success story and now has around 100 members young and old, many of whom meet on a weekly or fortnightly basis.

Holly, 9, also undertook a challenge to complete 20 miles of litter picking by the end of the year, which she is set to complete on New Year's Eve.

Along the way she has raised an incredible £1,000 for Stand Up To Cancer. To donate, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/holly-litterpick.

Dereham Times: Times award winner Holly Steward with her mum, LauraTimes award winner Holly Steward with her mum, Laura (Image: Laura Steward)

Upon receiving her award, Holly said: "I feel happy, proud of myself and kind of shocked because I am just one child in the whole year.

"It's really important to clear up the local area, and it's really fun too."

Her dad, Justin Steward, added: "Holly is an absolute inspiration and we are very proud of her.

Dereham Times: Holly Steward's Young Person of the Year awardHolly Steward's Young Person of the Year award (Image: Archant)

"Not only does she do local litter picking but, even when we go on holiday, she - and all of us - are litter picking the beaches.

"I could not be more proud."