An online fundraising campaign has been launched to create a scholarship programme to pay tribute to a celebrated Bermudian environmentalist.

A GoFundMe campaign started by Jamie Bacon, the wife of the late Stuart Hayward, says that she hopes to raise funds to set up a scholarship fund in Mr Hayward’s name and compensate those building a stage for an upcoming celebration of his life.

Dr Bacon said: “The members of the Entertainment Union of Bermuda are contributing greatly to the celebration of Stuart's life that we are holding on September 3.

“I would like to ensure that the members building the stage are compensated and that the union receives $2,000 for their time and efforts.

“I would also like to create an $8,000 scholarship fund in Stuart's name and will work with Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce to ensure the appropriate organisation administers it.

“Stuart would be delighted to assist undergrad and graduate students interested in studying sustainability of the island he loved so much.”

Dr Bacon added that any additional funds raised would be used to defray the costs associated with the September 3 event.

As of yesterday afternoon, the campaign had raised more than $600 of its $10,000 goal.

Mr Hayward, who died this year, was a well-known environmental activist who founded Best in 2007 and led campaigns to protect Admiralty Park, Southlands and other green spaces across the island.

He also served as chairman of the Bermuda National Trust’s environmental committee, founded Save Open Spaces in 1982 and was elected to the House of Assembly in 1989 as an independent.