COMMUNITY effort involving residents of St. George's and St. David's could see needed funds raised for five schools at the eastern end of the island.

St. George's Preparatory, St. George's Preschool, St. David's Primary, St. David's Preschool and East End Primary School are to benefit from the St. George's Schools Fair, to be held at Penno's Wharf tomorrow.

Outside of raising cash, it is hoped that the fair will draw residents from other parts of the island to St. George's, and bring students from the different schools together, according to Gavin Collery, treasurer of the St. George's Preparatory Parent Teachers Association and one of the event's organisers.

"We were trying to come up with a fund-raiser and looking at all events held individually by the schools and schools around the island, and there was nothing to draw a crowd out to the East End in the period between April and June that we were aware of," he explained.

"We wanted to raise money for all the schools and we wanted to do something that would generate community support around St. George. What we came up with, what we decided, was to hold a school fair for all the schools.

"The money will be allocated among the schools and we intend it to be an annual event, but of course it depends on its performance and the commitment of those who come out to enjoy the day.

"A group of people said they were willing to come and help organise and pull the community together to enjoy the day and volunteer their own efforts. And parents from all the schools have expressed their willingness to come out and help on the day.

"We're hoping it will be a huge success, that it will bridge any gaps which may have been there historically between the schools and that it brings the kids together in an environment that's enjoyable for them."

As executive director of the St. George's Foundation, Louise Anfossi applauded the partnership aspect of the event.

"We're thrilled that the old tradition of having a St. George's fair is coming back," she said. "We're very excited about the different schools getting together. That they're working together in partnership - the schools, the Corporation of St. George, the St. George's Foundation and all the community groups in the parish - is something that everybody likes to hear. We encourage everybody to come out and support it, including our members."

Lance Furbert, town manager of the Corporation of St. George's, agreed.

"It's a fantastic thing for the community. All the schools are involved. The St. George's Corporation is helping out the schools, they're using Penno's Wharf and (corporation employee) Shannon Outerbridge and his crew are very involved, helping with tents and making sure the gates are open and helping with the marathon as well. It's just the kind of thing we need in this community. Young people need to get together.

"It's the kind of thing that used to happen in St. George years ago, organised by the Rotary Club and a few other groups. We're very happy to see it taking place again after so many years."

The day begins with a mini-marathon - ranging in length from a quarter of a mile to a mile - for children, all of whom will compete according to age groups. Premier Jennifer Smith will open the fair at 10.15 a.m.

"The St. George's Town Crier, E. Michael Jones, will start the marathon from various points throughout St. George," said Mr. Collery. "All the races finish at Penno's Wharf where there will be a presentation of prizes by the Premier."

The Premier praised organisers of the event, saying: "I think the St. George's Schools Fair is a wonderful idea and commend the committee for their initiative in organising this event. It is important for families to come together to support the children and the fund-raising effort while enjoying a day of activities together.

"This is the foundation on which strong communities are built. I look forward to joining them on this special occasion."

Entry to the fair is $1. Upon payment, visitors can enjoy a number of game stalls, a dunking stool, tattoos, face painting, mini Nascar race cars and hourly performances by a number of entertainers. Food and beverages will also be available.

"The police will be there to show off their new car and a stage will be set up at Penno's Wharf with different performers every hour," said Mr. Collery. "We'll have the sea cadets, African dancers, choirs from the various schools, line dancers and the St. George's majorettes on stage before the Warwick gombey troupe closes the fair at 6 p.m. The idea was to involve a lot of children of varying ages and some of the children participating are from the schools that will benefit."

Schools involved applauded the idea for what it would mean to their students and do for the community.

"I think it's a great idea that the five schools from the eastern division are getting together for something," said Joan Davis, deputy principal at St. George's Preparatory School. "It's been a long time since there were any fairs here."

Added Helen Turini of St. George's Preschool: "I think it's an excellent idea. It's fantastic for the community to be involved. And for our students, who are currently in preschool but will move on to the primary school level, it's a time for interaction, it's a time for their parents to get to know the schools and their staff.

"Of course, the funds are great but it's been a great reward as well. The children here are very excited. It's lovely for them to feel they're part of a big thing."

St. David's preschool teacher Patricia Phillips agreed: "I think it's a great idea to have a partnership between all the schools in the area. Our parents have been very busy selling raffle tickets and have offered to donate some of their time manning the stalls on the day. On the whole, I think it's a good idea."

St. David's Primary principal Edward Wright said he believed the most impressive part of the event was the collaboration involved.

"We're all small schools and we have each thought of doing things over the years, but when we came up with the idea of getting together to mutually benefit from the money made we all decided to have a go and joined in enthusiastically. We have contributed our own drum corps to the day's events.

"St. David's Primary is the only school on the island to have one and they'll be participating at noon. They're all very enthusiastic and we have a hard core group of supporters and lots of people have said they will be there on the day to lend a hand, to cook the food, to man the stalls.

"What's great about it is that it's a group thing. No school is individually responsible for a stall. Everything is run by a variety of people from all the PTAs. I think (as a fund-raiser) it will be very beneficial.

"Schools are always needing funds and the Bermuda public is always generous but some of the larger schools have a greater number of people to call on. They have events such as this annually whereas we small schools have a finite number of parents to draw on.

"I think the results will show it was a good venture and I think that once we've had one success it will only become bigger and better in the years to come. We've had to build the whole event (with little experience) just by putting all our heads together."

Raffle prizes, including a motor bike, a washing machine, stays at hotels across the island and various gift certificates, will be drawn at 5.30 p.m. Tickets, at $5, are available at the benefiting schools and from parents of students attending those schools.

Entry forms, for those interested in participating in the mini-marathon, are available from and may be dropped off at The Sportseller in Hamilton, HWP on Front Street and Temptations Caf? in St. George's.

There is an entry fee of $5. Race numbers will be given at Penno's Wharf between 8 a.m. and 8.30 a.m. on the day of the race. Tomorrow's fair will be held at Penno's Wharf between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.