Tickets for a raffle to raise funds for primary schools are on sale, the organisers said.

Pembroke Rotary Club hopes the virtual Children’s Fair Raffle event, with the draw held on March 12, will top the previous year’s take.

The club donated more than $90,000 to 14 public primary schools and also gave $14,000 to seven Bermuda charities with programmes for young people last year.

Gary Edwards, a veteran Rotarian, said: “Once again, we are unable to host the actual Children’s Fair, because of the large gathering restrictions, but we felt the importance, as a Rotary Club, to continue the raffle outreach to raise funds for our children across the public primary schools.”

Mr Edwards has been a major player in the annual fundraiser since it was founded in 1995.

The annual draw has raised more than $1.8m over its 26 years.

The club said there were “dire financial needs” in public primary schools.

These included a requirement for more resources, funding for pupil-related activities and for new ways to improve the learning experience.

Raffle tickets are sold in schools and by pupils and prizes this year include $5,000 hotel breaks, grocery and hardware store shopping vouchers as well as spa visits and smart phones.

Jereme Ramsay, the Pembroke Rotary Club president, said: “This additional financial backing is making a world of difference and Pembroke Rotary Club is happy to be that resource through this annual fundraising effort.

“We are a small community so, if there is a need, not-for-profits like Rotary will always be willing to step-in and assist.”

Schools taking part this year are West Pembroke Primary School, Victor Scott, Elliott, Paget, Northlands, Harrington Sound, Prospect, Purvis, Port Royal, St David’s, the Gilbert Institute, Francis Patton, Dalton Tucker, Heron Bay and Somerset.

Tickets, which cost $5, can be bought from the schools or by e-mail to Pembroke Rotary Club through its Facebook page.

The raffle will be held at the Bermuda Industrial Union headquarters on Union Square, Pembroke at 4pm on March 12 and will be live streamed on the Rotary club’s Facebook page.