The old saying ‘charity begins at home’ has been put into action by one of the Island’s leading re-insurance firms.

In celebrating its 20-year listing on the New York Stock Exchange, Aon Bermuda Limited staff lent a hand to the Sunshine League and Agape House by donating their time and money this week.

Sunshine League, which is a residential care facility that houses displaced kids, has a new interior paint job, thanks to 14 Aon Bermuda employees who spent their day on Tuesday volunteering their labour.

Staff picked the home after hearing it needed maintenance and could not afford to hire someone to do the job.

Phyllis Simons, who is a secretary at the company, emphasised the importance of the corporate sector’s involvement within the community. She said: “This means a lot to us because we enjoy helping, going out in the community and doing things for people by giving back. “Since the kids are not home right now, it’s going to be a surprise for them when they return and see the paint job we’ve done throughout the living room and bathroom.”

Aon IT vice president Lawrence Noble, who was among those painting ceilings and bathrooms, added: “This effort was a joint decision by a group of people at Aon involved in our 20th anniversary.

“Going out into the community and helping with a project like this, was something everyone thought we should do.

“The Sunshine League is certainly a great cause, they needed some painting and I understand the rooms were in bad shape and now it’s looking a lot better.”

The home’s main living room, bathrooms, closets, bedrooms and corridors received blue, yellow and green coatings.

Denise Carey, Sunshine League executive director, said: “I think what Aon is doing here today is very important.

“Because we are a charity, most of our time is spent on fundraising and we don’t have the funds to have the house painted and spruced-up like we would want.

“It’s definitely fun and exciting, without community support, we would not be able to function.”

In addition to Tuesday’s painting project, the company recently held a raffle and donated the proceeds to Agape House, Bermuda’s only care facility for the terminally ill. A total of $3,160 was presented to the charity, with staff raising $2,160 plus another $1,000 given from Aon Bermuda.

The prizes for the raffle were donated by Fairmont Bermuda, Tucker’s Point Club, MEF Enterprises, Ascots, Port O’ Call restaurant, Barracuda Grill and Staples. Aon’s Bermuda office is one of the 150 branches world-wide taking part in similar community volunteering and charitable fundraising.