Eight local charities have been given a $13,000 boost from an international firm.Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc., which operates Marsh and reinsurance specialist company Guy Carpenter, presented the charities with the year-end donations on Friday.Four charities were handed $2,500 including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Lady Cubitt Compassionate Association (LCCA), YouthNet and Friends of Hospice.Esme Williams, Counselling Executive Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters, said the “generous donation” would help the charity invest in its future and continue to encourage long term relationships with young people and their mentors.“We are so grateful that Marsh and Guy Carpenter chose to support us this year with $2,500. Their donation will go a long way in helping young Bermudians in need to reach their full potential,” she said.WindReach and the Bermuda Junior Service League’s Coins for a Cause were given $1,000; while Crime Stoppers was given $800 and Kiwanis Club of Hamilton Senior’s Lunch was given $200.In addition to the year-end donations, the companies host a monthly ‘Denim Friday’ where staff give $5 and the companies matched the donation.They also hold an annual Community Giving Day for employees to volunteer; this year more than 120 helped out with various charities around the Island.According to David Ezekiel, Chairman of Marsh & McLennan Companies, the group is “proud to support these charitable organisations, which deliver valuable educational programmes, humanitarian efforts, and other initiatives to the community”.“We are committed to assisting these organisations, and the broader community, with both financial contributions and voluntary efforts of our colleagues.”