The Bermuda Sloop Foundation is moving closer to it’s goal of sustainability, despite the challenges of fundraising in the current economic climate.

“As I am sure it was for most charities, 2013 was a very challenging fundraising year as we all strived to endure current economic conditions,” Denise Riviere, CEO of the Bermuda Sloop Foundation, said.

“Nevertheless, I was pleased to see just how much the Bermudian Community as a whole continues to believe in the power of experiential learning and character development as interventions in the fight against the social and academic ills of today’s youth. In our last fiscal year, fundraising efforts, events, and cost cutting where possible helped raise $1.5 million towards our annual operational expenses.”

She said the Foundation have been able to make their Middle School Youth Programme a “rite of passage” for M3 students in the public school system, and aligned their experiential programme with the school curriculum.

This year, Ms Riviere said the Foundation plans to continue it’s fundraising efforts to pay off the last $1 million of the Spirit of Bermuda’s ship construction mortgage.

“Achieving that will greatly help us reach our goal of sustainability,” she said. “I know that 2014 will require us to be creative and very cost conscious, but we are up for the challenge.

“It still takes a village to raise a child, and we will do our best to play our part. We thank our community for its continued support and look forward to continuing changing lives one voyage at a time together.”