Warwick Academy is extremely grateful to Partner Re for their continued support of the Dollar For Hours Programme.

Each year, it provides vital funds for our Annual Giving and we always look forward to finding out which charity we will be partnered with. This year we were thrilled to be partnered with Habitat for Humanity Bermuda.

The old Pembroke Rest Home is an incredible building that has so much potential.

We were honoured to be able to be part of the first step in the renovations. Thirty-two students, two parents Jon Hughes and Cathy Hollis, head of sixth form Ralph Woods and Terri McDowell and Jane Vickers from the development office descended on the facility for a full day of vegetation clearing.

The students, ranging from Year 7 to the sixth form, worked on clearing extensive overgrowth in two main areas.

Central to the home is a courtyard, or so we were told! You had no idea at all how big it was due to the overgrowth. You couldn’t see the other side at all.

Our first task to cut down all the vegetation and clear it.

A huge thank you goes to Lushlawn Landscaping, who donated their time and chainsaws and truck for the day, which was essential for the project.

The students cleared all the brush and loaded several truck loads for the dump.

Another area was apparently a sweet sunken garden with a pond. Apparently was definitely the right word as you couldn’t see anything past the first few stairs leading down.

By the time we left, it was as clear as could be and the pond was being filled up as we left.

We really hope that our efforts have made a difference for Habitat for Humanity Bermuda.

The students were able to feel part of an important step in the process and to be able to give back to the community. Big thank you again to Partner Re and a huge thank you to Sheelagh Cooper who is chairwoman of the board of Habitat.

“Habitat is hugely grateful for the tremendous contribution that the students of Warwick Academy have made in bringing back to life the property at the Pembroke Rest Home,” said Ms Cooper.

“I watched in amazement as this blur of activity and boundless energy and enthusiasm transformed the overgrown property into what is now a very lovely garden setting.

“Thanks so much for that wonderful transformation.”