Sixteen-month-old Hubert Butterfield can look forward to the future -- thanks to warm-hearted Bermudians.

Hubert's prospects looked grim when his dad died in a road smash last year.

Mr. Hubert N. Butterfield Jr., 25, was a BELCO engine operator, and had been at the company three years.

Kindness, however, soon shone through tragedy.

For shocked colleagues rallied round Mr. Butterfield's son and his fiancee, Ms Renee Arorash.

They helped set up an education trust fund to safeguard the child's future.

And on February 17 the trust got off to a flying start, thanks to a Hubert N.

Butterfield memorial soccer match at Devonshire Recreation Club. Organisers included BELCO employee Mr. Derek Hurdle, and Devonshire Colts official, Shadow Health Minister Mr. Nelson Bascome.

The game saw BELCO trounce the mighty Colts 6-2 -- but more importantly a lot of money was raised.

Topped up by cash from a canteen collection, some $2,500 was raised.

BELCO then chipped in with a further $972.05, making a grand total of $3,479.65.

Yesterday Mr. Hurdle handed the money to a grateful Ms Arorash at a ceremony at BELCO.

Also there was a playful Hubert and his granny, Mrs. Marie Butterfield.

Mrs. Butterfield was full of praise for the fund-raising effort.

"I thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. I thank you for a beautiful and kind act.'' Ms Arorash, of Cann Drive, Somerset, emphasised how important the fund was for her son.

"It is wonderful how everybody has shown they care,'' she said.

BELCO president and chief executive officer Mr. Garry Madeiros told how staff were spurred by tragedy to do something.

"Hubie touched a lot of hearts,'' he said.

Ensuring his son, Hubert Butterfield III, had a future worth looking forward to was the best way to help, Mr. Madeiros added.

The $US education fund has been set up at Heritage International, and the company's district manager Mr. George E.W. Smith was there at yesterday's ceremony.

Organisers of the football match -- for which a special trophy has been donated -- hope it will become an annual event.

"The success of the first game bodes well for the future,'' said one organiser.