A Lions Club has split $26,000 raised from its Gasorama fundraiser between two Bermudian charities.

The Bermuda Zoological Society and Vision Bermuda, formerly the Bermuda Society for the Blind, will each get $13,000 from the February event, where members of the charitable organisation took over Terceira’s North Shore Rubis gas station in Smith’s and pumped gas for tips, as well as selling raffle tickets.

Mark Bothello, president of the Hamilton Lions, thanked the Terceira family and Rubis Bermuda for their support for the fundraiser, which has run for 50 years.

Colin Brown, the BZS president, said the donation would help fund free educational programmes in schools and “make sure our programmes reach more students each year”.

The society is the support charity for the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo in Flatts.

Vision Bermuda helps people who are blind or have vision problems live independent lives and offers emotional and social support, rehabilitation, training workshops and technological assistance.

Dudley Cottingham, chairman of the group’s fundraising committee, thanked the Lions for their support.

He added: “We are working even closer together now than we ever have, and we look forward to continuing this invaluable relationship.”