The Butterfield Bermuda Championship Birdies for Charity programme is in full swing.

Tournament organisers have already partnered with 40 local charities who are now poised to benefit from the charity programme, established by the PGA Tour in 1971 as an integral part of many official tournaments to help raise millions of dollars for host communities.

Last year’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship raised nearly $650,000 for almost 50 charities, which organisers hope to exceed this year.

“This was an amazing achievement but our goal is to build on that success,” Danielle Baiunco, the tournament director, said. “We want to maximise our charitable impact and raise more money for more Bermuda charities.

“Of course, we can’t do that alone. We encourage charities, who haven’t already, to register and invite everyone who can to donate, no amount is too small to benefit from the matching opportunity.”

Members of the public interested in supporting a range of worthy causes can see their charitable contributions go further by using the “Donate Now” section on the tournament website. The registered charities will receive every cent donated in addition to a match of up to 10 per cent until the end of November.

Participating charities are also able to take advantage of the BF&M Volunteer Programme. Volunteers who work three shifts during the tournament itself, which range from four to six hours each depending on the committee, can choose to donate their time to their chosen charity, which will receive $200.

Charity partners include Action on Alzheimer’s and Dementia, Age Concern, Ancop, Bermuda Cancer and Health, BIOS, Bermuda National Trust, Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association, Bermuda Red Cross, Bermuda Sailors Home, BUEI, Chatmore School Development Association, ConnecTech Coding, CURB, Endeavour, Focus, Friends of Hospice, Friends of the Bermuda Library, Habitat for Humanity, Home, Ignite Bermuda, Keep Bermuda Beautiful, Kiwanis Club of Hamilton, Knowledge Quest, Masterworks, MSA Foundation, Open Airways, Pals, Pathways, Phenomenal People, Raleigh, Somersfield Academy, Special Olympics Bermuda, St David’s Historical Society, St George’s Foundation, St Vincent de Paul Society, Technology Leadership Forum, Tomorrow’s Voices, Vision Bermuda, Warwick Academy and Windreach.

More than 500 volunteers will be required to fill positions at the tournament at Port Royal Golf Course from October 24 to 30, ranging from gallery management ambassadors, walking scorers, and television spotters as well as in merchandise, pro-am and product distribution.

The BF&M volunteer programme is open to anyone 18 years of age and older. Golf knowledge is not required and the tournament has a variety of opportunities for both golfers and non-golfers alike.

Young people aged 13 to 17 also have the opportunity to volunteer as a standard bearer, an exciting role of walking inside-the-ropes with a player group while carrying a two-sided scoring standard. This role is available on the Saturday and Sunday of tournament week.

This year volunteers will receive an official tournament polo and tournament jacket courtesy of BF&M as well as a tournament hat, volunteer credentials providing access to the event at all times, BF&M accessories, lunch on volunteer days, and more.

Interested volunteers can apply now and charities can e-mail to learn more about getting involved.

• For more information on the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, visit http://www.butterfieldbdachampionship.com/