Schools around the island celebrated World Children’s Day yesterday and raised money for a charity devoted to the welfare of families.

The youngsters wore blue to mark the UN’s drive to better the lives of children around the world – and helped raise cash for island charity Family Centre.

Thania Redman, the relationship development director at Family Centre, said: “This day is close to our hearts – Family Centre is where children come first, so it aligns with our mandate of strengthening families for a healthier Bermuda.

“We invited schools and corporations to host a denim day and have put on our site links and information about the Unicef World Children’s Day.

“We don’t yet know how much money has been raised yet, but all funds raised will go towards our programmes and services for vulnerable families and children.

“It was beautiful today – we saw a sea of blue when passing by the schools.”

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Members of staff from reinsurance firm Renaissance Re attended West Pembroke Primary School to supervise children as they played games.

Wendell Smith, the school’s deputy principal, said: “Marking World Children’s Day is important because children are our future and will be our future leaders.

“It is important we make a safe and fun environment for them. It is a wonderful to celebrate them and let them know that they are valuable and precious to us.

“We appreciate parents who raise children to be helpful and respectful and to do community services. There are so many causes out there to support.”

The annual commemoration is run by Unicef, the United Nations agency responsible for humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide.

It was designed as “a day of action for children by children” and had “reimagine the type of world we want to create” as the theme this year.

The primary pupils wore denim and held grub days to raise money for Family Centre, which was set up to provide crucial services to ensure children are cared for.

The UN group said it wanted children have access to education, health and nutrition services, clean water and hygienic living conditions.

It added it also wanted children’s mental health to be supported and an end to the abuse of children.

Unicef asked governments to increase their efforts to protect children and families affected by conflict, natural disasters and displacement.

For more information on World Children’s Day and how to support Family Centre, visit www.tfc.bm or call 232-1116.

Family Centre asked anyone who celebrated the day to tag the centre on Facebook and share photographs.