The annual gala fundraising dinner held by the 100 Women in Finance organisation has raised more than $27,000 for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Bermuda charity.

The money raised will go towards assisting female students from local schools to set sail on a five-day skills voyage aboard the Spirit of Bermuda, as well as for male and female public-school students to participate in ConnecTech robotics and coding classes, the organisation said.

Nearly 150 guests gathered for an evening of food, drink, live music and a silent auction at the private home, Sandymount, in Hamilton Parish. Students from the Duke of Edinburgh programme in Bermuda attended the event, selling raffle tickets, sharing their experiences from participation in the award scheme and connecting with women from the finance industry.

Alison Morrison, chair of the 100WF committee in Bermuda, said: “100 Women in Finance’s global philanthropic theme this year is ‘investing in the next generation’. Our focus enables the organisation to advance purposeful pathways for young women towards careers in the finance industry, and to support them in early stage careers with a peer network and relevant programming.

“In accordance with this theme, this year’s gala dinner beneficiary is a perfect match and we are so thrilled to be able to interact directly and support Bermuda’s aspiring young women.”

Amanda Pullinger, chief executive officer of 100WF, who attended the event, added: “Funds raised at the Bermuda gala help to address a persistent challenge — the underrepresentation of women in investment and executive leadership roles in the finance industry.

“If we wish for teenage girls and early career women to have interest in a career path towards our industry’s high growth areas — such as fintech — we need help show them the way and demonstrate what’s possible.”

Gillian Kersse, chair of 100WF’s philanthropy committee, thanked the event’s platinum sponsor, Walkers Bermuda, and event sponsors Butterfield, KPMG, MUFG, Zurich Re and International Financial Planning.

She said: “This event simply would not be successful without the support of these organisations. They demonstrate real commitment to developing opportunities for young women in our community and we are so grateful for their support. Our sincere thanks and appreciation also goes to Wendell Hollis for allowing us to host our event in his beautiful home at Sandymount.”

100 Women in Finance is a global network of professionals in the finance and alternative investment industries working together to empower women at every stage of their careers, the organisation said. The group has more than 15,000 members.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Bermuda is a fun-filled and flexible programme for young people between the ages of 14 to 25, the organisation’s website says. The programme fosters personal growth and delivers on teaching motivation, commitment, leadership, teamwork, self-discovery, and achievement of one’s full potential through participation in challenging and non-competitive activities of community service, personal skills, physical recreation and adventurous journeys.