A SEVEN-year-old boy who spends his Saturdays making sure ducks are fed in a healthy way has been given a special award.
Jaxson Cole, seven, has always been passionate about feeding the ducks at Black Dam Ponds and has taken it upon himself to make sure they are eating healthy food.
His mother, Helen Cole, explained that Jaxson was "worried that people won't keep feeding the ducks," after signs were put up asking people not to feed ducks bread.
She said: "We got some healthy food for ducks and started putting together packets of seeds.
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"He wants to help so we started a little Facebook group, Jaxson's Duck Feed, and people suggested we should start an Amazon wishlist to help with donations.
"So many lovely people sent lots of donations over to us and it really took off."
Jaxson and his family spend Friday nights packing the food before delivering it on Saturday mornings. His most recent effort saw around 40 packages produced.
Jaxson's selfless duck feeding scheme gained traction and various organisations from animal rescues to amusement parks and even the MP reached out to him.
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On March 1, Jane Bearley, from the Helping Wildlife in Basingstoke animal rescue, met Jaxson at Black Dam Ponds to present him with a 'Duck Defender' award, which Jaxson was "over the moon" to receive.
She also presented him with a cuddly toy duck that makes a noise when squeezed.
"Jaxson has done a really good job," said Jane, adding: "Ducks can get a condition called angel wing, meaning they won't be able to fly, if their diet is poor.
"I thought it would be a good idea to make him feel rewarded for doing such a good job."
As well as this, Jaxson was also invited for a special, VIP tour behind-the-scenes by staff at Birdworld, which he was "really excited" to do.
He even received a letter from the MP, Luke Murphy, congratulating him on doing a good job. Mr Murphy said Jaxson is an "inspiration for someone his age and that Basingstoke is lucky to have him".
Jaxson's mother Helen agreed. She said: "We're ever so proud of him, me, his other mum and his little sister.
"We didn't think it would take off, we thought it would last for a couple of weeks and then he would get bored but it is really lovely to see that he is so passionate about helping the ducks."
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