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Young LAD Calls For Kids To Boycott McDonald's Happy Meal Toys

Young LAD Calls For Kids To Boycott McDonald's Happy Meal Toys

Seven year old William Weir wants to preserve the oceans for future generations

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

A seven year old boy has written to fast food chain McDonald's to ask them to stop giving away plastic toys with their Happy Meals.

William Weir told his mum Carrie that he felt bad about how damaging plastic is for the environment, and that he wanted to get in touch with the restaurant chain to have a word about it.

He wrote them a letter, also signed by his four year old sister, Francesca, and sparked a boycott of Happy Meals amongst his classmates at school in Rugby, Warwickshire.

He was eventually asked to come into assembly at school to read his letter out, and has also been invited by McDonald's to a feedback session where his ideas will be heard. That's some activism for a LAD as young as William.

Carrie and her husband - William's dad Neil, filmed their son talking about how he loves the fish in the ocean and doesn't want to see them fall victim to plastic pollution.

William Weir wants McDonald's to stop selling Happy Meal toys.
Kennedy News and Media

The whole family is now calling for an end to Happy Meal toys that are effectively "plastic rubbish" that often isn't even played with by kids.

Carrie said: "He sat at the table to write it. I helped him construct it but it is all his writing and all his thoughts.

"I said I would send it to McDonald's and share it on some sites online to see if it made any difference.

"He was quite excited about this and went into school to tell everyone about it. Everyone thought it was really good, even the teachers.

"I asked him if anyone asked him why he feels this way, what he would say.

WIlliam Weir and his sister Francesca wrote to McDonald's.
Kennedy News and Media

"He said 'well I am seven and I would like to live until I'm 57 and have children. And I would like for there to still be a planet for those children'.

"Those are his words and thoughts. It is quite profound.

She continued: "The parents I've spoken to said their children are now starting to ask to not have the toys after hearing about William's letter.

"I think if lots of children did what William and Francesca are doing then McDonald's would get rid of the plastic in the Happy Meals.

"That is how things change these days. Things change because of public perception so it would change if it was highlighted as something bad that McDonald's is providing these toys that no one cares about."

William Weir and his family are campaigning for McDonald's to cut back on plastic.
Kennedy News and Media

A spokesperson for McDonald's said: "We really appreciate William and Francesca getting in contact.

"We would like to assure them that the reduction and use of plastics is a hugely important issue for our business. We are committed to reducing our environmental impact and we can, and want to, be part of the solution - for example with our move from recyclable plastic straws to paper ones.

"Happy Meal toys provide fun for children and families playing in our restaurants, but also provide many more fun filled hours at home for a long time too. When families are finished playing with them, they can also be recycled. At points in the year we also offer book promotions swapping out toys for books. Parents can also use the vouchers printed on their child's Happy Meal box to purchase a book for £1 or download an eBook for free.

They continued: "Sometimes we invite people that have contacted us to come in to discuss our latest ideas and innovations and share their thoughts and feedback, so we will be contacting William and Francesca's family shortly to see if they would like to participate in one of these sessions."

Featured Image Credit: PA/Kennedy News and Media

Topics: Food, UK News, News, Food And Drink, trash isles, McDonald's