A business owner pulled together a team of volunteers to build bunk beds for disadvantaged children after he was inspired by a similar project in America.

Joshua Bates, the owner of Joshua Bates Trading, which sells electrical appliances and homewares, said the firm teamed up with US-based charity Sleep in Heavenly Peace to launch a Bermuda branch and had completed its first beds.

Mr Bates added: “Where children sleep is a really important part of their development, and having a secure place to fall at the end of the day is of great value to a child.

“There are a lot of children in Bermuda who we feel could use this assistance.”

Mr Bates said he first learnt of the US charity last year when founder Luke Mickelson was highlighted as a hero on TV station CNN.

He said: “We are always looking at ways to spend our marketing budget charitably whenever we can.

“When I saw the story, it caught my eye and I thought it was something that would work in Bermuda.

“We got in touch with the Coalition for the Protection of Children and they confirmed that there was definitely a need here.”

Matt Gerardo, the president of the island branch of the charity, said the firm was a natural fit as they already had skilled workers, drivers and all the required facilities.

The volunteers completed nine twin bunk beds last month.

Mr Gerardo said the build was a success — but the real joy would come when the beds were delivered to children selected by the Coalition for the Protection of Children.

He said: “We haven’t done a handover yet, but I’m told it is the most rewarding part of the experience.

“Bringing the beds into the home, setting them up and seeing the child get onto their own bed for the first time — that’s what I’m looking forward to.”