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K1 Britannia group during this year's Regatta.
PHILIPSBURG--With the successful conclusion of the 38th annual Heineken Regatta, the organisers have announced that they raised a total of US $7,500 throughout the Regatta weekend for relief and rebuilding.
Due to the massive hit St. Maarten took during the 2017 hurricane season, the Regatta committee decided that the 2018 edition would focus on helping the island to recover. The “Serious Fun” slogan was changed to “Serious Fundraising” to reflect the purpose of the event, raising funds for community organisations.
K1 Britannia Foundation was one of the beneficiaries of the event, receiving a donation of $7,500 for its Second Chance Programme.
“We would like to thank the Heineken Regatta crew for the opportunity to be a part of such an important event on the island. As a non-profit, we appreciate not only the fundraising done on our behalf but also the opportunity to showcase our projects to those attending the event.
“Because of our presence at Heineken, we met so many new people with various skill sets who have signed up to volunteer, some who have already participated in SXM DOET,” K1 Britannia Project Manager Iris Hakkens said.
The funds allocated for the Foundation will go towards its Second Chance Programme, in which K1 aims to support local vulnerable youth in furthering their education and getting jobs. The Programme focuses on training, certification, and education to increase the employability of these young people.
“We’ve adapted our Second Chance Programme since Irma to give them training in relevant fields, such as in the maritime industry and in construction. For example, one dedicated young man has already begun his studies in the maritime field in the United Kingdom under the programme, and K1 hopes to create more local and international opportunities for other youngsters.” said K1 Britannia Foundation co-founder Priya Thirumur.
Both K1 Britannia Foundation and Heineken will be posting regular updates on their social media accounts regarding the progress of these second chance youths.
