CHILDREN across Darlington in the top class will be getting ready to go to senior school in the autumn. For most, it is enough that they sit endless tests in preparation for their move from junior school to a more grown up environment. While schoolwork is important, for some children it falls into insignificance compared to getting a Blue Peter badge! These are as rare as hen’s teeth and most prized.

So when an envelope dropped through the letter box of Rose Addison, aged 11, this week, she hardly dared open it. In February she sent off an inquiry to Andy and The Blue Peter team. It said: “Dear Blue Peter, my name is Rose Addison and I want to make a difference. When I was eight I got a kitten, but it has a story with it! A small black cat came to my house, we thought it had no home, but one day a letter came and it said ‘black cat missing,’ so immediately we gave it back. We loved it so much. The lady said her friend had a kitten to give to us. Unfortunately it died, so we got our cat from a rescue centre and that is how I got Coochie! I think I should have a badge, because I want to make a difference.”

The BBC wrote back and explained that to get a badge Rose had to achieve something. They said: “Blue badges are awarded for interesting letters or emails, good ideas for the programme, stories, poems, pictures and for having appeared on the programme.” That set her thinking. The St. George’s CE aided Primary School pupil then penned a poem about her cat, adding her own illustrations. She tied it with pink ribbon and sent it off with a photograph, of herself holding Coochie. The cat looked content and Rose wore a big smile! Months passed. Rose’s mum, Angela, said: “She kept asking me why she hadn’t received her badge and I was unable to tell her. The Blue Peter team were busy answering letters from other children. They then sent her an email and asked her to be patient.”

A spokesperson for Blue Peter said: “To win a Silver badge you have to do something different from your Blue badge project. For instance, if you won a Blue badge for an interesting letter or email, you could win a Silver one by sending us a picture or poem. Green badges are awarded for letters and pictures with a conservation and environmental theme. Orange badges are for winners and runners up of Blue Peter competitions. Purple badges are for Blue Peter team players. These are children who review an episode of the show. The form can be found on our website. Gold badges are only awarded for really outstanding achievements – for instance, saving somebody's life or extreme bravery.”

Rose is now wearing her Blue badge. She said: “I want to raise money so that I can get another badge!” The next project is to fundraise by holding a sponsored silence for one whole day on Saturday 1st May. This is for The Cats Protection Wear Valley and Darlington Branch, ran by unpaid volunteers. To sponsor Rose call 01325 256988.

If you are interested in a Blue Peter badge, you could send your entry by email: bluepeter@bbc.co.uk Post to: Blue Peter CBBC Television Centre London W12 7RJ.