The gift of giving has been celebrated with the planting of a Bermuda cedar at the Royal Naval Dockyard Cemetery honouring the community group Bermuda Is Love.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals of Bermuda teamed up with the Bermuda National Trust last Wednesday in celebration of National Philanthropy Day.

AFP Bermuda co-presidents Ann Spencer-Arscott and Katie Bennett praised Bermuda is Love as “a group of young Bermudians doing amazing work including food and clothing drives, trash clean-ups and initiatives to combat homelessness”.

They added: “Their work to encourage collaboration, education, activism, advocacy and love for our community and the environment is incredibly inspiring.”

Myles Darrell, of the BNT, said: “Planting a tree is a great way to commemorate achievements, memorialise moments and celebrate life.

“The National Trust is always happy to collaborate and provide opportunities through living heritage to support our community.”

Aaron Crichlow, of Bermuda is Love, said the group’s vision was “to create a Bermuda where everyone’s basic human needs are met and guaranteed by law”.

He added: “We organise campaigns and events advocating for the human right to housing, clothing, food, education, healthcare, a healthy environment and access to justice.

“We are thrilled to accept the National Philanthropy Day award from AFP Bermuda.”

He said the show of support “truly means the world to us”.

Mr Crichlow added: “It tells us that we are making a difference and that we are having an effect on our community, and it encourages us to keep going, to continue advocating, to continue trying to make a difference, and we couldn’t be more grateful to everyone.”