More than 200 volunteers from 14 BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu mandirs and centres around the UK took to the streets in March to help clean up and rejuvenate their local neighbourhoods.
The volunteers filled more than 140 bags containing various forms of litter, significantly improving the surrounding environment.
The initiative was part of the Great British Spring Clean, the nation’s largest mass-action environmental campaign in which thousands of individuals, groups and schools come together around the country to participate.
The annual event is organised by Keep Britain Tidy, a leading independent environmental charity that works to inspire, educate and enable everyone in the country to value the environment on their doorstep. Keep Britain Tidy is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.
In many places, BAPS volunteers were joined by local councillors, well-wishers and residents, who were grateful to BAPS for helping improve the local neighbourhood.
The community outreach initiative was inspired by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, who has taught to respect and care for the environment and to serve local communities as part of a wider social responsibility.