A local charity has received a cash boost of over $20,000 after a group of overseas conference visitors were so impressed with the Island they felt it was vital to give back to the community.

Pengrowth Energy Trust, a Calgary-based energy company, was on the Island last week along with a group of international executives to attend the 17th Annual Fall Investment Conference which was held at the Fairmont Southampton Resort.

The company's president, James Kinnear, told 200-odd attendees at the opening of the conference that his company's affinity for Bermuda has been growing steadily.

"We first came to Bermuda for our conference in 2005 and we were struck by the beauty of the Island and her people," Mr. Kinnear said.

"The Bermudians are welcoming and their hospitable attitude encouraged us to rebook for 2006 and plans are well in hand for 2007."

Mr. Kinnear said Pengrowth has a commitment to philanthropy and began looking for a charity to help locally.

"Knowing that Bermuda was the location of our 2006 conference, we wanted to make a contribution to Bermuda's future success and what better way to do this than through its families," Mr. Kinnear said.

"We realised that many overseas companies do visit the Island for their conferences and conventions but how many of them actually are prepared to give to the community and not take the beauty and hospitality for granted?"

Pengrowth elected to make a $10,000 donation to the Family Centre but its president's speech also spurred other conference attendees to chip in for an additional $10,500 for the charity, whose mission is to aid families in crisis.

The Family Centre development director Elizabeth Ward was delighted to learn of the donors' decision. She said while many in the community believe charities like The Family Centre are adequately funded, often that is far from the case.

The Family Centre, for example, spends almost $11,000 a year on each needy family that the organisation tries to help with its programmes.

"We were so humbled by the Pengrowth donation ... to have received this additional funding for our programmes by people who do not even live on the Island is a much needed boost," Ms Ward said.

"There are many families that need help and we never turn anyone away. The more commitment we receive from the public the more we can do within the community.

"We are indeed grateful to Pengrowth and their guests for hearing our story, understanding what we are about and helping us support our mission ? helping families in crisis to achieve a healthier and productive society."