Two Bermudian students have received the fourth annual Christian Thunhurst Award, picking up $4,000 apiece to help advance their education.

Kent Bean and Marcus Bean, both Cedarbridge Academy alumni, received the grants from Platinum Underwriters and the Bermuda Education Network charity, after participating in the latter’s summer programmes.

Kent is a third-year Business Administration undergraduate at Acadia University in Canada. Having represented Bermuda in martial arts, he hopes to pursue a career in insurance either as an accountant or an actuary.

Marcus Bean is a first-year law undergraduate at The University of Kent in Great Britain, who is a keen debater and aims to pursue a career in law either as a trial attorney or a mediator.

The grants will go towards their overseas studies and opportunities to participate in work experience in the insurance industry.

The award was set up in 2012 to honour Christian Thunhurst, a casualty underwriter with Platinum Underwriters and a former chairman of the Under-35s reinsurance association.

Christian died suddenly in Bermuda on January 26, 2007 at the age of 34.

Thomas Olunloyo, director of the Bermuda Education Network, said: “Marcus and Kent both impressed us with their dedication and accomplishments and we wish them continued success.”

Becky Ausenda, executive director of the Bermuda Education Network, added: “This scholarship is inspiring for everyone involved.

“It gives us an opportunity to remember an outstanding young underwriter whose loss is still felt by his friends and colleagues, and it allows us to reward some of BEN’s most promising students.”