A $10,000 donation has been made to a meal programme by the family behind the Hamilton Princess.

The cash boost from the Green family came after an appeal by the Anglican Church in The Royal Gazette last week.

A spokeswoman for the family said: "The funds will be used to contribute towards the purchase of a new commercial stove – which will enable the volunteers to prepare fresh food on site – and other kitchen equipment.“

The Right Reverend Nicholas Dill, the Bishop of Bermuda, said: “In these difficult times, it is so thrilling to see how the community has once again pulled together to meet the ongoing needs of the most vulnerable.

“We are particularly grateful to the Green family for answering the call, once again, to support their friends and neighbours.”

The programme offers free lunches to anyone in need from the cathedral in Hamilton, seven days a week, from noon until 1pm.

It serves between 120 and 140 people a day on average, although the numbers are expected to rise over the festive season.

Bishop Dill said last week that the cathedral programme used to serve about 50 people a week with its breakfast programme before the coronavirus crisis.

But he added numbers had skyrocketed since Covid-19 hit the island earlier this year.

Bishop Dill said today: “In reaction to our appeal, the cathedral has been overwhelmed by the response of both volunteers to help serve and donors who have offered financial assistance and kitchen equipment to continue and complement the work of those who have already given so generously of their time and funds.

“This is very timely, given that as winter approaches with the downturn in visitor arrivals, we expect the need to continue through the Christmas season and well into the New Year.

“We thank them all.”

Alexander Green explained: “We were touched by the cathedral’s appeal for support in helping to feed the community.

“The work that they do to support those in need of a helping hand is incredibly important and inspiring – particularly in the run up to the holidays.

“We are pleased to be able to help them in their mission and we encourage others to help out however they can, whether with a small donation, ingredients or even a few hours of their time.”