Generous Bermuda residents have raised more than $20,000 to help at-risk youngsters.

The money will go towards Bermuda’s Beyond Rugby programme, which works with more than 60 students from CedarBridge Academy and Dellwood Middle School.

As well as getting them into the sport, the scheme runs a homework academy with the Family Centre to help the youngsters improve their grades. Beyond Rugby’s volunteers act as coaches, tutors, counsellors and friends, according to Patrick Calow, head coach and the youth development officer at Bermuda Rugby and Football Union.

“We want our players to be successful on and off the pitch,” he said. “It’s not just about rugby. Through sport the kids learn to work together, they get stability, discipline — all the things you get from being part of a team.

“At the homework academy they get help with the likes of English and maths and our volunteers build relationships with the students, they care about them.

“There’s an improvement in their performance in school, especially at middle school level. It helps the kids feel better about themselves.

“There’s a high dropout rate among normal students but the kids in our programme are graduating, which is our most important element.

“If you ask me what I’d love for Christmas it would be to get one of our players a college scholarship through playing rugby.”

Mr Calow said a scout from Wheeling Jesuit University in Pennsylvania was due to visit Bermuda in January to watch the Beyond Rugby youngsters play. “That would change the game for us, parents would see it as a way to get their child an education,” he said. “But rugby isn’t enough, they need the grades and the homework classes help with that.”

Mr Calow was “shocked” by the $20,000 raised this month by Islanders, donated during a charity dinner and auction with the visiting Saracens squad and Bermuda Barbarians on June 6.

“It’s pretty special, we’re really thankful,” he said.

The funding will go towards the running of Beyond Rugby, which includes transporting the students to and from their homes to the National Stadium as well as snacks and equipment.

“We’re hoping to expand to other schools,” Mr Calow said. “Bring that holistic support to more kids.”

Financial support for the programme has also come from Validus Re, Aspen, Digicel and Fairmont Southampton. Beyond Rugby was founded three years ago by Mr Calow and former WWE professional wrestler John ‘JBL’ Layfield to help “at-risk kids who tend to get lost in society by dropping out or joining gangs”, according to the scheme’s website.

Mr Layfield said: “The dinner was incredibly well done and 100 percent of the money raised will go to Beyond Rugby.

“We’re making a difference in kids’ lives — it’s giving us good rugby players and good young people.”

To help Beyond Rugby or volunteer at the homework academy, visit www.beyondrugbybermuda.com, e-mail Patrick Calow at pcalow@brfu.bm or contact the Family Centre on 232 1116.