A substantial donation has brought a new shelter for homeless women and their children closer to the finish line.

Aspen, an insurance and reinsurance firm, gave $25,000 to Habitat for Humanity Bermuda earlier this month to help create its Transformational Living Centre in Pembroke.

Sheelagh Cooper, the chairwoman of the charity, said the group was “hugely grateful to Aspen for this fantastic donation”.

She added: “We are now almost 90 per cent finished with the construction, thanks to generous contributions from more than 40 local and international companies who, like Aspen, have recognised the importance of protecting and nurturing our most vulnerable families.”

The shelter is a joint venture between Habitat for Humanity and the Women’s Resource Centre to refurbish a Pembroke Parish Council building on Parson’s Road.

The original estimate for construction was $1.3 million.

But Ms Cooper said it was expected to finish next month for less than half that amount, largely because of “an abundance of volunteer labour and donations of doors, windows, tile and even free solar panels”.

The Women’s Resource Centre will run the centre and Habitat for Humanity has pledged to be responsible for the renovation, furnishings and maintenance.

Christian Dunleavy, the chief executive officer of Aspen Bermuda Limited, said the company was “proud to be a part of the wide ranging, collaborative support for the TLC”.

He added: “Our commitment to give back to our community is a part of our ethos and includes providing opportunities for future success.

“We value all of the great work that the Habitat for Humanity Bermuda team are putting into the TLC and know that will continue with the services and support they will provide in the future.”