A jump in coronavirus cases has led to four extra students getting scholarships to study abroad.

The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club handed over $40,000 to education charity Knowledge Quest after the Bermuda Sail Grand Prix had to reduce its planned educational programmes because of the spike in coronavirus cases in April.

The Hamilton Princess, a partner in the SailGP event, decided to donate the allocated budget to Knowledge Quest’s scholarship fund.

Tim Morrison, the general manager at the Hamilton Princess, said: “Hamilton Princess & Beach Club is proud to be a partner of SailGP and while we were disappointed not to be able to offer community programming earlier in the year, we are pleased to be able to support such a good cause instead.

“Knowledge Quest provides an admirable and vital resource to Bermudians in their pursuit of education and we are delighted to be able to support them in their mission.”

The donation to Knowledge Quest is in line with SailGP’s Inspire programme, which was designed to promote science, technology, engineering and maths education, career pathways and access to racing for young people regardless of their gender or socio-economic background.

Julien di Biase, SailGP’s chief operating officer, said: "SailGP is pleased to support our partner, Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, with its selection of Knowledge Quest as the recipient of their generous donation.

“To know that students will get the funding they need to further their education during these challenging times reinforces why community engagement is at the heart of our organisation and how integral our partners are with creating those possibilities."

Knowledge Quest has provided college and university scholarships to more than 230 Bermudians since 2002.

The organisation was set up to be the scholarship of last resort and to give people who are academically capable, but have exhausted all avenues of possible funding, the financial break they need.

Knowledge Quest requires that applicants apply for at least five other scholarships before they are eligible for consideration.

Knowledge Quest awarded a record 24 new scholarships last year in response to the increased demand caused by Covid-19 job losses and a shrinking economy.

Kathy Lines, the co-president of Knowledge Quest, said: “It is critical that right now, with so many students left without savings because of lack of work, that we ensure there is consistent access to educational opportunities for all Bermudians.

“We want to thank the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club for this generous donation of $40,000 which will provide critical funding for approximately four new students for an academic year.”