Wilton Reinsurance Bermuda has donated $12,000 to support the Coalition for the Protection of Children and The Family Centre.

Expressing gratitude for Wilton Re’s donation, Rachael Dill of the Coalition for the Protection of Children, said: “As you can imagine, Covid-19 has had a severe impact on low-income households in Bermuda. We have seen an increase in families accessing our services for basic needs and anticipate this trend to continue for several months, especially through the holiday season.”

Leila Wadson, of The Family Centre, extended thanks by expressing the difference the generous contribution to their hardship fund would make in “day-to-day lives”.

Wilton Re has also supported the community throughout the year, with donations of laptops and school shoes to Prospect Primary School via Bermuda Education Network and funding for the Open Airways medication assistance programme.

Sylvia Oliveira, chief executive officer of Wilton Re Bermuda, said: “Throughout the year, we are cognizant of our obligation to our community and that commitment remains in our fore through donations, mentoring and volunteering. This year the need has been substantive, and our giving included support for the Open Airways medication assistance programme and the purchase of laptops and school shoes facilitated through the Bermuda Education Network for Prospect Primary School. Wilton Re Bermuda remains steadfast in our pledge to Bermuda and ethos of philanthropy. Our commitment also includes hundreds of hours of hands-on employee involvement with volunteering, tutoring and mentoring support for local charitable initiatives.”

Brendan Kemp, chief financial officer of Wilton Re Bermuda, said: “We are grateful for the invaluable assistance that these organisations provide in the community to Bermuda’s children and their families.”

Mary Ellen Ewles, of Open Airways, said: “We are so very grateful for the financial support of Wilton Re during this incredibly unusual year. With the onset of Covid-19 and the resulting economic concerns, this was definitely a time for us to pivot to meet the needs of the community under extremely different circumstances.

“Wilton Re saw this need and supported our work as it morphed to meet new demands. Their contribution towards our newly created Medication Assistance Program has helped to purchase asthma and COPD medications for those in the community who may not have the financial means to obtain them.”