Promoting awareness among young people of Bermuda maritime traditions and the environment is a worthy cause according to Martine Purssell, treasurer of the 2005 Heineken Round The Island Seagull Race .

The Bermuda Sloop Foundation and the Bermuda Amphibian Research Project each received $750 donations from proceeds from the race.

British Seagull started in 1931 and for its time the original engine was very advanced, a good proportion of the original engines are still running and parts are generally retained as a piece of British engineering and ingenuity.

Fanatics around the world including Bermuda highly prize the Seagull engine and spare parts. Each year the Round The Island Seagull Race organises a Seagull engine race around the Island usually involving 50 boats of various classes. Last year the proceeds of the race went towards the Buy Bermuda campaign.

Ms Purssell said by donating to the amphibian research project it allowed the project?s coordinator, Frances Bacon, to continue her research into endangered species and apparent declines in Bermuda?s amphibian populations including a few of Bermuda?s frog species.

?We also want to promote awareness among young Bermudians of Bermuda sea traditions and learn about the environment,? Ms Purssell said.

The Bermuda Sloop Foundation has raised just over $4 million of its $5.3 million target and will provide Bermuda?s youth with experience and knowledge of sailing in the traditional way.