Kind Wigan schoolgirl is the winner in search for a community hero

Erica Parksinon held a litter pick at Amberswood nature reserve last month

Bus operator Stagecoach asked people to nominate their unsung heroes as part of celebrations to mark the firm’s 40th anniversary.

Among those put forward was seven-year-old Erica Parkinson, who is a young carer for her sister, a keen charity fund-raiser and always working to make a difference in the community.

A vote was held on Twitter by Stagecoach Manchester and Wigan, with people able to select their favourite community hero.

From the three nominees in the poll, Erica received 69.2 per cent of the votes.

She was hailed as the community hero and will receive shopping vouchers worth £75 in recognition of her hard work.

She was also put forward for the national community hero award and the chance to win vouchers worth £500, with voting now openHer proud dad Scott Parkinson said: “She has been fund-raising since she was two and she has finally got that recognition she deserves.”

Erica, who lives in Ince, is a devoted young carer for her sister Evana, who has a rare chromosome disorder.

She is committed to helping other people, regularly taking on projects to make a difference or raise money for good causes.

During the coronavirus lockdown, she filled cones with sweets and distributed them to her neighbours.

She donates to food banks regularly, organises litter picks and has raised thousands of pounds for charities.

She is particularly keen to support Wigan and Leigh Hospice, as a finalist in the Miss Wigan and North West beauty pageant, and Blessings In Disguise, which has supported Evana and the rest of their family.

Her latest money-spinners include organising a virtual race, where people could run or walk 5k or 10k and receive a Halloween medal, and selling Christmas baubles.

This weekend Erica has organised a pumpkin trail, with 14 properties involved, which people can follow instead of trick-or-treating.

Her efforts were recognised by the Price of Britain Awards in the summer, which tweeted: “Erica is a young carer for her sister Evana who has a rare chromosome condition. During lockdown she has made sweet cones to cheer her neighbours up, donated chocolate to her doctors surgery and given food parcels to the NHS. What a fab big sister!”

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