Sir Sean Connery's family have set up a multi-million-pound foundation to help Scottish charities two years after his death.
The Connery Family has been created by the Scottish actor's estate and seeks to honour his legacy by helping institutions and organisations in Scotland and The Bahamas, the two countries he called home.
The Scotsman passed away at the age of 90 on October 31 2020.
The foundation will help fund projects which were important to Sir Sean and his family, with an emphasis on education and ocean conservation.
Stephane Connery, Sir Sean’s son and Chairman of the foundation, said: “After two years of reflection, research and discernment, we have chosen to focus on the communities that Sean loved and on issues that reflect his beliefs, passions, and legacy.
"Above all, Sean believed that education was a force-multiplier and was most concerned that children from disadvantaged backgrounds, like his own, be given opportunities to succeed.
"Thanks to Sean’s gift, we dearly hope that our family’s grant-making will help young Scots and Bahamians, along with our oceans, to thrive.”
The foundation say they will commit £6 million in grants by the end of 2022, including the Scottish Youth Film Foundation, in honour of the actor's successful career.
Sir Sean's son Jason said: "My dad’s career in the film industry happened by accident and changed the trajectory of his life. Discovering the crafts and trades of film-making, beyond acting and directing, should not be reserved only for the rich, well-connected or lucky ones."
SYFF co-founders David Barras and Scott Mackay said: "We couldn't be more delighted to be among the first grantees of the Sean Connery Foundation.
"This grant will allow us to expand our reach and our ability to help young Scots realise or raise their ambitions using modern project-based learning."
The foundation will also work with Dyslexia Scotland, helping schools provide additional dyslexia and literacy support for children, both at school and at home.
Stephane said: "For my father, who came from an extremely modest background, learning to read opened the door to a world of endless possibilities.
"With literacy, hard work, and dedication he was able to forge an extraordinary career.
"When his beloved granddaughters were identified as dyslexic, Sean became acutely aware that someone can be both highly intelligent and yet struggle to decode language.
"Just as learning to read opened the doors of opportunity for my father, we hope this programme will help to open the doors of opportunity for children challenged by dyslexia and, in success, be expanded across Scotland with government support.”
The foundation have also announced they will support the Scottish International Education Trust and St Andrews’ University Scottish Oceans Institute to bring together postgraduate and undergraduate students from Scotland and the Bahamas.
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