They may be competitors in insurance, but executives from companies across Bermuda were glad to chip in together and raise thousands of dollars for families in need.

More than 100 professionals specialising in financial lines insurance gathered at The Front Yard in Hamilton on Thursday.

The group pooled donations for $3,000 for school uniforms in an industry gathering, without the backing of corporate sponsorship, to give back to the community.

Christina Allen, of Oneglobal Broking, who helps to organise the sector’s charitable events with Leona Lik, of Vantage Risk, said it was the first time the informal donations pool had become a happy-hour event.

Among donors was Paul Scope, chairman of Ed Broking Holdings, who told The Royal Gazette: “Absolutely we compete — and we all trade with each other.

“Doing something together makes a nice social event post-Covid, and it’s great to do it for a good cause. School uniforms, which many of us take for granted, can be key for certain families.

“You want to do the very, very best for your kids, but it’s expensive.”

Mr Scope said his daughter’s schooling at CedarBridge Academy was testament to the strength of the island’s public schools.

“Uniforms differentiate Bermuda from some other countries. It’s important that they bring everyone to the same level.

“It’s also important when people can’t afford to cover to get to that level that we can supplement it.”

Mr Scope added that he hoped more would be donated and that $10,000 could be the final figure.

Ms Allen said the group had contacted Habitat for Humanity Bermuda to donate gift cards for students’ families — and planned to reach out to other charities.