A poignant stop-motion film about the plight of the polar bear made by a Soham schoolgirl has gone viral.
Megan Jones’ tear-jerking animation, ‘Megan’s Message,’ tells the story of two polar bears whose lives are torn apart by global warming.
The eight-year-old Weatheralls Primary School pupil filmed the video as part of the school’s endangered species project, and since it was posted online this week it has amassed over 3,000 views and has been shared by the BBC and Greenpeace.
Megan was inspired to make the video because of her love of animals, and the youngster said it took just one day to complete.
“We have to save the polar bear before it becomes another page in an encyclopaedia,” she said.
“I like animation - I’ve made one before and thought it would be a good idea to make one for my homework. I think I’d like to carry on making them.
“I started it at 9am, stopped at midday for lunch and then went back to it.
“I’m proud that people are starting to know that we have to save these animals. We have to save the polar bear before it becomes another page in an encyclopedia.”
Her teacher, Julia Stead, said: “Megan’s video is absolutely stunning.
“It’s gone massive on Twitter and has been shared by some huge organisations.
“We gave the children the task as homework and we were stunned by Megan’s work. It’s absolutely beautiful and we’re so proud of her.”
Her dad, Gavin, said Megan filmed the video - using a smart phone and some coloured paper - entirely independently.
“She’s done fantastic work with Julia, who has done a wonderful job in encouraging all the pupils to come up with some really great ideas,” he said.
“The only question Megan asked me was ‘Daddy, can you share it online?’ She made the video completely on her own.”
The video has received dozens of glowing reviews, with one YouTube comment saying: “Fantastic Megan. You are an inspiration. Thank you for lending your talent to protect our polar bears and the Arctic.”
Another said: “Wow, so moving. What a talented and caring girl she must be.”
Megan’s video has also been shown to pupils in a school in Manchester to convey the devastating effects of climate change.
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