Businesses are still rallying behind the Chewstick Foundation as they continue to press forward and rebuild what was destroyed in the Front Street fire.

HSBC Bermuda’s Retail banking and wealth management department donated $1,000 in aid of the arts charity that lost its home in the blaze on July 21.

The department presented a cheque to Chewstick director Gavin Smith after the charity was chosen by staff who contribute to their “denim Fridays”.

Mexican restaurant Rosa’s also donated funds amounting to $3,802 after selling brownie and churro desserts during the month of August.

Lindsay Durham, Rosa’s manager, previously told The Royal Gazette: “We decided to support the foundation not just because of the fire, but because we are all on the same street.

“Gavin is a fellow Berkeleyite and we must always keep the end in view. I just feel like we always need to support the community so anything that we can do to help the community, we’re there for them.”

Deidra-Lee Bean, Chewstick operations manager, said: “This is a demonstration of our community impact. When the fire happened it wasn’t only us that was affected but our supporters, people from all different demographics.

“Our focus is breaking down barriers and bringing people together and the outpouring of support from a lot of different facets of the community is showing that we have been fulfilling our mission and definitely have a place in the hearts of people throughout Bermuda.

“It’s been great and really encouraging and it’s showing us that what we’re doing is important, which is why we need to keep going.”

Mr Smith added: “The corporate community in Bermuda usually gets associated with being like the exempt companies, not necessarily the restaurants and the grocery stores, and the fact that so many of them have been reaching out to do what they can in their lane for the Chewstick Foundation and for other causes, I think that’s an incredible sign of community mindness of these local businesses as well as their commitment to assisting where they can.

“Not everyone can dig deep into their pockets and pull out million dollar cheques but it really takes the community to help the community and I think these types of things really go a long way to helping that.”