“Amazing generosity” has propelled the charity Family Centre all the way to its Christmas goal of raising $200,000 in six short weeks.Businessman Kirk Kitson, who spearheaded the campaign, revealed the resource-stretched charity had managed to raise the funds its Government grant was cut even as demand for services soared.Earlier yesterday, Mr Kitson had expressed his determination to meet the goal, saying: “If we’re still short, I will give the difference myself.”Within hours, however, he didn’t have to.A last-minute pledge from “another international reinsurer” took the total up to an even $200,000.The Centre supports hundreds of children and their families who are facing hardship.“It’s the most successful fundraising effort imaginable,” Mr Kitson said. “It’s amazing generosity. I’m surprised and amazed that a lot of companies rallied like this.“I have friends in the US who volunteered support. And it’s not just me — some of the bigger international businesses and reinsurance companies have stepped up.”Asked how he had managed to muster so many donations in such a short time, Mr Kitson credited “the good work that the Family Centre is doing” for motivating “local and international businesses, and individuals and families in Bermuda” to donate in roughly equal measure to the campaign.The Centre lost its $150,000 annual grant from Government in the 2011 Budget.According to the charity, demand from families in distress has doubled over the past three years.The alternative to the fundraiser would have been “to eliminate programmes for struggling families”, Mr Kitson said.“That can’t happen, and it won’t happen.”Family Centre offers parenting and life skills classes to the general public and provides “targeted prevention” to families and children in crisis.Executive director Martha Dismont said it was time to celebrate the “tremendous generosity in the community”.“Family Centre received the most precious gift ever this year — an outpouring of support from many diverse sectors of the community in response to our need to raise $200,000 to erase the revenue hole left by Government’s cutting of our grants,” she said.“Individuals, led by Kirk Kitson, provided donations, as well as PTAs, local companies like Gorham’s, Devonshire Council, and international corporate companies like Partner Re, Validus Re, Lancashire, Marsh IAS, Arch Re, Argo and others who gave extra or made Family Centre the beneficiary of a Denim Day or a raffle.”The outpouring they received was “humbling”, Ms Dismont said.“We intend to erect a plaque in the lobby of our offices to honour all those who came to our aid. We know that many charities are in need, and we are overwhelmed by this support.”The Centre assisted between 600 and 700 children and their families over the past year, Ms Dismont said.Some of those families received multiple levels of service through clinical counselling, behaviour groups and parent groups.“We have worked very hard to raise our regular revenue budget, plus this additional funding, and we are indebted to Kirk Kitson for leading the charge on the $200,000,” Ms Dismont added.“Given all of the many issues challenging families in Bermuda, our goal is to give families a fighting chance to normalise their lives.“If we want families to take advantage of the opportunities that exist for them to get ahead, then these types of services must remain consistently available to assist.“We hope that the new government will find ways to ensure that our charity, as well as the many other worthwhile charities that exist, will be acknowledged, through their support, as vital services for this community.”Useful website: www.tfc.bm.