The Bermuda Perfumery has launched a non-profit foundation dedicated to protect and promote the Island’s shipwreck heritage.

The Lili Bermuda Foundation will be funded through a portion of the profits of the company’s Mary Celestia fragrance, named after the famous wreck.

Perfumery owner Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone said the foundation’s first project was to sponsor 50 young Bermudians’ efforts to become Open Water PADI certified.

“Our goal is to inspire young Bermudians to explore and learn more about our rich shipwreck heritage and to become future Bermuda ambassadors when they go overseas to pursue their studies and other interests,” she said. “My 13-year-old daughter, Marie-Sophie, is a young diving enthusiast and I hope we can find 50 young people who will come to love underwater exploration as much as she does.”

The Lili Bermuda Foundation will fully or partially cover the cost of PADI certification depending on the need and interest of each young person who applies. The foundation will also seek support from the diving community to assist in its objective of protecting and promoting Bermuda’s shipwreck heritage.

Mark Diel, of Dive Bermuda, which conducts PADI certifications and dive tours of the Mary Celestia wreck off South Shore, said: “Dive Bermuda recently finished its very first course with students from the Bermuda High School.

“This programme will work superbly in tandem with ours and we will be offering the certification courses for kids at a significant discount to further assist the Lili Bermuda Foundation reach its full potential.”

Philippe Rouja, Bermuda’s Custodian of Historic Wrecks, said: “The Department of Conservation Services is committed to protecting Bermuda’s shipwreck heritage, but that is only one part of the mission.

“We must also excite children about the stories that exist on our ocean floor so that they are similarly conservation-minded.

“We believe the Lili Bermuda Foundation is on the right track with its new programme and we’re glad to support them in finding young candidates to be certified.”

Lili Bermuda Foundation PADI certification applications are available from the Lili Bermuda store in Hamilton and at the Bermuda Perfumery in St George’s. Children between the ages of 10 and 18 are encouraged to apply.