Ten young Bermudians were given a helping hand toward reaching their life goals as the Bank of Butterfield handed out $160,000 in grants yesterday.

The money — dished out in scholarships, bursaries and education awards at a ceremony at the bank — will go toward fees for their courses in overseas colleges.

It is hoped many will return to eventually put something back into the community in Bermuda.

Big winners this year included Ty-Ron Douglas, who scooped the $25,000 Sir A. Dudley Spurling four-year postgraduate scholarship.

Mr. Douglas, 29, has been admitted into the PhD programme at the University of North Carolina this autumn, when he will begin a doctorate degree in Organisational Leadership and Policy Studies.

Regarding his prize, he told The Royal Gazette: "It makes a big difference. I'm a mature student with a wife and two sons moving with me. It's very important that I have a first responsibility to my family as well as to my studies, so I'm very grateful for this award."

Aliyyah Ahad, 17, who won the $25,000 Sir Henry Butterfield undergraduate scholarship, will attend the University of Toronto this year to study Political Science and Sociology.

She said she would like to come back to the Island and work in race relations with young people, before probably undertaking a law degree.

Jasmin Caines and Kimberley Fisher were each awarded Butterfield Overseas Education Bursaries valued at $20,000 per year, tenable for up to two years.

Special Education Awards of $15,000 went to Jessica Palmer and Gretchen Tucker, and $10,000 to D. Terre-Lynn Trott and LeAnnette Tucker.

Alexander Curtis and Lisza Rawlins each claimed $10,000 Visual Art Awards.

Collecting her award, Ms Rawlins said: "This will lessen my financial burden, which will allow me to focus on the most important aspect of school, which is learning."

Donna Harvey-Maybury, senior vice president of human resources at the bank, said: "This year is special because, even though we are celebrating our 150-year anniversary in 2008, we remain committed to supporting Bermuda's young people in reaching their educational goals.

"This is because it has always been part of our mission statement to be recognised as making a valuable contribution to the communities in which we operate.

"Giving back with scholarships, bursaries and special education awards is a big part of the focus on community which is at the heart of Butterfield Bank."