An island reinsurance firm has handed over a total of $40,000 to two charities.

Equator Re gave $20,000 each to the Centre Against Abuse and Teen Services/Teen Haven.

Laurie Shiell, executive director at CAA, said the money was vital” to the organisation and its mission to provide support services to victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault.

She added that the donation came as a shock.

Ms Shiell added: “I was honestly speechless for about 30 seconds. I think if I was standing, I would have definitely fell back in my seat.”

She said she was asked by Equator Re to discuss CAA and its work to prevent domestic and sexual assault.

Ms Shiell added she was told that the charity would receive the donation after her presentation.

She said the cash would allow the charity to “provide a sliding scale for our services and enable us to continue to support those who are unable to make payment for our services”.

Ms Shiell added: “Safety for our clients is our number one priority for Centre Against Abuse, and donations like these ensure that we are able to focus on the safety of the client, rather than concern ourselves if the client is able to make payment or not. “

Michelle Wade, director of Teen Services, said the donation would have a “tremendous” impact on the agency.

Ms Wade said the money would be used to cover a range of services, including counselling and support, educational opportunities and employment preparation.

She added: “We are grateful for their support and we appreciate the corporation inviting us to share our mission with them.”

Ms Wade said that Teen Services and Teen Haven got a government grant, but it did not cover the costs of operating the two programmes.

She added: “To this end, it is imperative that the agency reach out to the corporate world and form partnerships, with a view of investing in the young people in Bermuda.”

Helen Wilson, vice-president of catastrophe underwriting at Equator Re, said both charities “greatly benefit our community by supporting individuals in need”.

Ms Wilson added that the donations were made “to help our local community”.

She said: “Both charities respond to challenges individuals living here in Bermuda sometimes find themselves faced with and may not know how to overcome.

“We want people to have the chance to achieve their ambitions.

“We are thrilled to help as much as we can and I think the feeling is mutual.”