For one evening, the Island will gather around television screens to help solve what one charity deems the single most important social issue facing Bermuda.

Under the banner, Give for a Day... Help for a Lifetime, organisers of the Council Partners Charitable Trust Annual Telethon hope that locals will arm them with cash to help achieve a solution to substance abuse.

Monday's telethon, which will be hosted by the Council Partners' Austin Warner Jr. and PRIDE's Judith Burgess, will raise funds for alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment programmes in Bermuda.

"This is intended to be an event which brings together the whole community,'' said Mr. Warner. "Substance abuse is the single most important social issue facing Bermuda and it is vital that we all work together to tackle the problem.

"During the telethon we will be raising the profile of substance abuse issues and demonstrating the many positive ways we can all work together as a community to achieve solutions.

"We're inviting everyone to help make a real difference by investing in these solutions,'' Mr. Warner added. "However large or small the contribution someone is able to make, it is their commitment to help which is what will make a real and lasting difference within our community.'' The Council Partners launched its first telethon in 1998 and it is hoped that by holding this year's event on the eve of the extra leap year day it will encourage people to think about giving a little extra to the worthwhile cause.

"It's a great opportunity to donate a day's pay -- and for employers to match contributions made by their employees,'' said event spokesperson Liz Mason.

"It is also hoped the people will also consider making a commitment to the Trust on a regular basis.'' Mr. Warner added: "Raising money at a telethon is not just about telephone pledges on the night -- although these are, of course, vital -- it's about organising fund-raising events and getting everyone to be part of what we're trying to achieve.

"Our community fund-raising team is out and about gaining sponsorship and donations and encouraging people to organise their own fund-raising events.'' Some of the additional fund-raising events include an employee raffle at Pricewaterhouse Coopers, a ten-pin bowling tournament organised by the staff of Arthur Anderson and a special `Telethon Dish-of-the Day' being served today at Monty's Restaurant and on Monday at Monte Carlo Restaurant.

The Island's corporate community has also thrown its support behind the event by offering incentives to the public to donate funds.

XL Capital has donated tickets to the XL Tennis Tournament, Gateway Computers has sponsored telethon golf umbrellas and American Airlines has donated two airline tickets to the US.

Organisers said that there will be an early-bird draw for those who make a donation before Monday at noon. The winner will be announced during the telethon.

Early-bird donors will also have their names entered for another draw for a second airline ticket which will be held on March 10.

Monday's telethon, which will be simulcast on VSB and Mix 106 FM radio from 7.30 to 11 p.m., will not only provide opportunities to win great prizes -- organisers promise there will be plenty of local entertainment showcased, including musicians, singers, dancers and artists.

The winner of the Jerry Griffiths Award for an outstanding personal contribution to substance abuse prevention and treatment in Bermuda, in either a professional or voluntary capacity, will be announced during the telethon.

Past winners of the award, which include Police spokesperson Evelyn James-Barnett and Sandy Butterfield, will also be featured in special interviews.

And a specially formed youth choir will perform the telethon anthem, `If I Had Words to Make a Day For You', from the hit film `Babe'.

Viewers can make their pledges to the Council Partners Charitable Trust by calling the special telethon hot-line number, 297-2728, or by using one of the special envelopes available at any of the following locations: All branches of the Bank of Bermuda and the Bank of Butterfield; The Council Partners Charitable Trust Office at 7 Par-la-Ville Road; Defontes Broadcasting Centre on Reid Street; and BELCO on Serpentine Road.

Deposit envelopes will be available at the above locations until March 31.

The Council Partners Charitable Trust was founded in 1996 to invest in quality substance abuse prevention and treatment programmes that serve clients, their families and the local community spiritually, physically and emotionally.

The Trust meets quarterly to allocate funds to programmes which fulfil the objectives, priorities and programme standards set by the National Drug Commission's National Plan.

Over the years, agencies like Fair Haven Christian Care association, PRIDE, CADA and the Family Learning Centre have benefited from funding from the Council partners Charitable Trust.