There is a particular kind of silence that surrounds a family when a child becomes unwell. It is the silence of waiting rooms, of late-night worry, of uncertainty about where to turn next. It is a silence filled with love, fear and the overwhelming urge to do whatever is necessary to help a child to thrive.

For more than 70 years, the Committee of 25 has stepped quietly into that silence — offering help, hope and the reassurance that no family in Bermuda has to face these moments alone. Our mission is simple but deeply meaningful: to provide compassionate, needs-based financial assistance for essential medical equipment, travel and related supports, helping children to participate fully in their homes, schools, and communities.

It is a mission rooted in dignity, compassion and the belief that every child deserves the chance to flourish, regardless of their family’s circumstances.

In our work supporting children, young people and families, we witness the weight these moments carry. We see how emotional strain and financial pressure can collide — and how transformative it can be when someone steps in with compassion, clarity, and help. Those experiences have deepened my respect for the courage families facing these challenges show every day.

Compassion in action

This past year, the Committee of 25 provided needs-based assistance to 35 children and young people — and to 35 families whose lives were changed in ways both practical and profound.

Behind that number are stories of resilience and hope:

• A child receiving specialised equipment — such as a wheelchair, mobility aid or adaptive device — that allows them to move more freely and participate more fully in daily life

• A teenager travelling overseas for essential medical treatment, with Co25 helping to cover the flights and accommodation that make that care possible

• Parents who feel a little less overwhelmed because their community has stepped forward to ease the pressures standing between their child and the care they need

Each of these moments reflects what our support is truly about: helping children to thrive and participate fully in their communities.

A mission strengthened

Our recent relaunch — including a modernised website, clearer referral pathways and more accessible information for families — is designed to make reaching us easier, faster and less overwhelming. These improvements allow us to live our mission more fully and reflect the values that have shaped this organisation since 1951. Participation, dignity and compassion remain at the core of everything we do.

Investing in Bermuda’s future

As we prepare to mark our 75th anniversary in 2027, we are also looking ahead. One of our most meaningful new initiatives is the Committee of 25 Scholarship, created to support Bermudians pursuing paediatric-focused professions such as nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. By helping to train the next generation of paediatric specialists in Bermuda, we are investing not only in the families we support today, but also in the future of care available to every child on our island.

A legacy of compassion

What has always moved me most about the Committee of 25 is not the scale of its operations, but the depth of its heart. This organisation was built on kindness — on women and men who offered their time, energy and generosity because they believed every child deserves the chance to thrive. That ethos continues to guide every decision we make.

Looking ahead

As we look to the next 75 years, I hope more people will come to know the Committee of 25 not just as a charity, but as a community of care — a place where families feel seen, where donors understand the real impact of their generosity, and where compassion shapes our daily work.

Our progress has always been fuelled by community, and that remains true today.

Our values are not simply statements on a page; they are the principles that guide every decision we make — compassion, equity, dignity, impact and community. These values have sustained this organisation for generations, and they will carry us confidently into the future.

• Miriam Shaya-King is chair of the Committee of 25