Bermuda Is Love cofounder Aaron Crichlow has been chosen for an environmental award for his dedication to tackling pollution.

Mr Crichlow, one of the driving forces behind the awareness and activism group, won the President’s Award from Keep Bermuda Beautiful.

The accolade goes annually to an individual or group that has made significant contributions to or through KBB in the previous year.

Bermuda Is Love, which is planning to gain charitable status, partnered with KBB throughout 2023 doing trash clean-ups in every parish and has been cleaning up the island since 2020.

Since then, the group has evolved into a movement addressing issues ranging from housing, education, healthcare and access to justice.

Mr Crichlow, 28, said: “It is a terrific honour. The first clean-ups I did were when I was at Elliot Primary and my principal Ms [Cathy] Bassett received the same award in 2020. Elliot Primary also won the award in 1999.

“It’s nice to be recognised as the same standard as her and others. It’s a real honour — it shows that our efforts aren’t going unnoticed and that people care.

“Our trash clean-ups line up with advocating for the environment and getting everyone in the community to feel responsible for the environment we live in, our planet and our island. Clean-ups are an effective way to make change.”

Traci Burgess, the executive director of KBB, said: “Aaron has been volunteering with KBB since his days at Elliot Primary School, where he first developed a passion for caring for the environment.

“Aaron’s leadership qualities and philanthropic drive led him to cofound Bermuda Is Love several years ago. The group focuses on monthly campaigns and activities ranging from basic human rights and food security to education, health and the environment.

“Tackling Bermuda’s problems with littering, illegal dumping and ocean pollution is one of the pillars of Bermuda Is Love. Over recent years, Aaron and this amazing group of young adults have led monthly community clean-ups that have removed tens of thousands of pounds of waste from dozens of locations across the island. They also hold public forums to increase environmental awareness and education.

“KBB is honoured to have a thriving partnership with Bermuda Is Love and we are grateful for everyone’s contributions that are leading the way to a cleaner, greener and more beautiful Bermuda for all. We wish this amazing group of volunteers all the best with their ongoing community impact projects.“

Bermuda is Love is hosting a series of free community events during May to help the most vulnerable in the community.

Its Freedom From Want campaign is part of its ongoing mission to safeguard basic human rights.

The events include: a free clothing giveaway; a student CV workshop; a community health clinic; a free school breakfast giveaway; a free legal clinic; a labour-rights workshop, and free gardening class.

KBB, along with BF&M and about 1,400 volunteers, completed a successful Great Big Bermuda Clean-Up during Earth Week in April.

This year’s event, also known as the island’s annual Spring Clean, targeted 60 locations and removed over 28,000lbs of waste in a week.

The charity is joining Bermuda’s Rotarians tomorrow morning for a coastal clean-up at Riddell’s Bay, starting at the old clubhouse at 9am.

To register, e-mail peroniabrowne01@hotmail.com.