Argo Foundation has made a further contribution to the Bermuda Sloop Foundation.

The philanthropic arm of Argo Group, the Bermudian-based insurer and reinsurer, has donated more than $125,000 to the sloop programme since 2009.

The new donation will go towards furthering the Bermuda Sloop Foundation’s mandate to “develop young people in Bermuda, building their resilience and increasing their long-term chances of success, by providing character and educational development through experiential learning”.

Elspeth Gray, president of Argo Foundation, said: “Argo Group values opportunities to provide unique experiences that educate and empower the communities in which the company operates.

“As the philanthropic arm of Argo Group, we at Argo Foundation find the mandate of BSF to be in close alignment with our mission. The lessons learnt as a result of time spent afloat on the Spirit of Bermuda enhance the social development of its participants and, at times, have led to successful careers in the maritime industry, both locally and overseas.

“A voyage on Spirit of Bermuda , is often a life-changing experience. The skills and discipline they develop on this and other sail-training vessels translate into the skills and discipline necessary to be successful in many aspects of life. By working together, Bermuda Sloop Foundation and Argo Foundation will continue to support Bermuda’s future by developing its youth.”

In a statement, the Bermuda Sloop Foundation said: “The Argo Foundation are generous contributors to our education programmes, we acknowledge and thank them for their donations. The Foundation celebrates the fact that Spirit has been transforming Bermuda youth with experiential sail training for more than a decade.

“All M3 students in the public-school sector spend time on our iconic tall ship receiving character development ‘Learning by doing’ as crew trainees this includes Bermuda’s maritime heritage. Our students learn self-reliance, team work and teamwork core skills that will be utilised as they become future leaders in their communities. Support such as Argo Foundation keeps our mission ‘Changing Lives One Voyage at a Time, Over Time’ continuing for our students’ journeys and ours.”

Inquiries to the Bermuda Sloop Foundation regarding membership and donations, corporate or individual, should be sent to Hollyanne Shirley by e-mail at holly.shirley@bermudasloop.org