Community-based campaign, Live Here Love Here honoured County Armagh’s Edward Campbell with the Adopt a Spot award at its recent Community Volunteer Awards event.
Held on March 23, the hybrid event was hosted virtually by UTV’s Joe Mahon and saw eight environmental heroes from across Northern Ireland receive awards.
The awards were open to individuals, schools and community groups that undertake volunteer activities to tackle litter, improve shared spaces and help reduce the impact of climate change.
Winner, Edward Campbell, said: “I started litter picking during lockdown. It began when I noticed a lot of discarded items during my daily walks. Some areas I see are in desperate need of this, and animals could easily be injured.
“I really hope that the wider community sees the benefit and am hoping to get more people involved.”
Other categories included the Hidden Gem award, which was given to Claire Hassan and the Biodiversity Champion award which went to Creggan Country Park. Killyleagh Community Association’s Lindsey Armstrong was the recipient of the Spirit of Live Here Love Here award, whilst Tidy Randalstown’s Helen Boyd received the Civic Pride award
Springhill Community House’s Ciaran Cahill won the award for Health and Wellbeing. The Big Transformation award was given to Larne Eco Rangers whilst Handy Helpers’ Lucia Kearney took home the gong for Connecting Communities.
Each of the winning volunteers or groups supported their community in 2021 by instilling civic pride and tackling environmental issues such as litter, biodiversity loss and pollution.
Live Here Love Here’s Manager Helen Tomb commented: “We selected some very worthy winners for this year’s awards and are proud to recognise their year-round efforts to improve our environment.
“This year’s Live Here Love Here Community Volunteer Awards event allowed us to celebrate the vast difference that these people make to their communities by tackling important issues like biodiversity and littering.”
