Five young hospital volunteers will share $30,000 in scholarship funds to further their education.

The awards were granted to candy stripers by the Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda at its annual awards ceremony last month.

Candy stripers are HAB student volunteers and the programme provides an opportunity for them to develop through teamwork and by taking on responsibilities.

Glen Gibbons, the president of HAB, said the organisation was proud to present the awards.

He said: “Eligibility for the awards is based on each student’s hours of service to the HAB, interaction with other volunteers and Bermuda Hospitals Board and HAB staff members, community service and academic performance.

“Our decision was difficult this year as there are so many deserving applicants, however, rather than dilute the amount to be awarded by presenting too many we wanted our educational awards to make a meaningful contribution.”

The awards were presented to three new recipients and two continuing students.

Surayya Trott-Cann, a new recipient, received $12,000, making her the top bursary recipient in 2025.

A candy striper since 2021, she completed 345 hours of service.

Ms Trott-Cann, whose aim is to become an obstetrician gynaecologist, was deputy head girl at The Berkeley Institute where she received top honours in her senior year.

She holds the Nurse Rachel Andrade Spirit Award as well as the school’s gold and bronze community service pins.

Ms Trott-Cann will read for a bachelor’s in science at Dalhousie University in Canada.

She said: “Candy striping has been a great experience. It really taught me the ins and outs of the hospital.

“I can’t even begin to explain the amount of knowledge I’ve gained throughout my time there.

“I would say that over the years of volunteering, the big takeaway for me is that it taught me to be kind to everyone no matter who they are and what they look like because you never know what experiences they have been through in their lifetime.”

Starr Bowen, who will study nursing at Keele University in Britain, received $8,000.

The new scholarship recipient had been a candy striper since 2021 and has completed 318.5 hours of service.

Ms Bowen volunteers at the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, WindReach and Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre.

She said: “During my time volunteering at the hospitals auxiliary as a candy striper, I have been able to see the impact that small acts of kindness have on individuals including patients and staff at the hospital.

“Working here has allowed me to gain lots of valuable skills including better communication and responsibility as a volunteer.

“The hospital has given me valuable insight to what working in a healthcare setting would be like and has strengthened my desire to work in this field.

“I would like to thank the Bermuda Hospitals Board as well as the Hospital Auxiliary of Bermuda for giving me the opportunity to help others and grow as an individual all while giving back the community, and I am very grateful.”

Kaitelyn Smith, another new scholarship recipient, received $5,000 and will pursue studies in actuarial science at the Bermuda College.

A candy striper since 2021, she completed 317 hours of service.

She plans later to travel overseas to continue her studies with the ultimate goal of becoming an actuary.

Ms Smith said: “What's done in the dark will come to light. Being a volunteer candy striper taught me to do things from the heart without seeking recognition or reward.

“This is something that I can apply to other areas of my life.”

Sacha Burchall and Mishale Corday were each given a bursary of $2,500.

Ms Burchall is reading for a bachelor’s in health sciences, kinesiology and health promotion at Sheridan College in Canada.

The organisers of the award said she received the award for a second time since she is an honours student at Sheridan College.

Ms Corday, a graduate of the Bermuda Institute, is pursuing studies in healthcare at Howard University in Washington DC.