The Bank of Bermuda Foundation yesterday announced it had given seven local charities nearly half a million dollars in the second and third quarters of 2005.

The individual donations of $25,000 and above were in support of community projects that offer long-term benefits to the island.Committed to providing community swimming through aquatics programmes that benefit all segments of our community, BASA has introduced the Pools for Schools programme, offering free pool time at the BASA pool for school children. All of our children now have the opportunity to develop swimming skills in a supervised environment.Through educational training, conferences, workshops and public awareness programmes the Bermuda Council for Drug-free Sport promotes and educates the community on the importance of healthy and drug free sports.he Audobon Society produced a documentary film, Bermuda?s Treasure Island Restored, which tells the story of Bermuda?s Nonsuch Island, portraying the story of how conservationist Dr. David Wingate saved our Cahow, Bermuda?s only endemic seabird, from extinction.Last month, The Bermuda Regiment Charitable Trust hosted the spectacular Bermuda Tattoo in the Keep Yard at the Royal Naval Dockyard. Our Bermuda Regiment Band, the Island Pipe Band and the Bermuda National Gombey Troupe proudly represented Bermuda?s rich cultural diversity at the event and along with visiting bands, entertained thousands of spectators during a dazzling musical military display. The incarceration of individuals can cause stress for the families of offenders. The Family Fellowship Programme will provide support to the families of those incarcerated, helping them to consolidate and cement their relationships so they are able to maintain a healthy progressive home environment.The development and training for teachers is a vital in the success of the educational development of young people. Warwick Academy continues to provide development, training and appraisal initiatives for their staff that assists them in providing students with a quality education.YouthNet, a school based mentoring programme provides our young people with positive role models that can help to shape a young person?s values, build their self confidence, teach them the value of education and help them to make positive lifestyle choices. YouthNet already provides successful mentoring relationships for over 300 students Island-wide.