XL Capital Ltd. staff will be rolling up their sleeves to help with some worthy causes today as the company stages its fifth Global Day of Giving

The employee volunteer day is dedicated to supporting the communities in which XL companies operate around the world.

In Bermuda, the insurer's employees will be in action at the West End, removing rubble dumped at the old casemate and hammering out concrete filling of the gunport at the Royal Naval Dockyard

They will also be raking, weeding, pruning and cleaning a sensory and environmental zone at the WindReach Recreational Village for special needs children.

Some XL staff will help seniors with various odd jobs around their homes such as mowing lawns and painting, others will spruce up various areas of the Aquarium and Zoo. Some staff will also be cleaning, weeding, and planting in the playground area of a school for special needs children. The Global Day of Giving began in 2006 when XL celebrated its 20th anniversary. Since then XL employees have donated thousands of hours of community service to hundreds of charitable projects in various locations worldwide.

XL chief executive officer Mike McGavick said: "We at XL look forward to once again devoting our time and talents to worthy organisations and causes which provide myriad beneficial services to the communities in which we live and work.

"It is always our pleasure to assist wherever we can, particularly during these tough economic times."

More than 160 projects are planned for this year's Global Day of Giving, with the highest number of projects per city taking place in London and per country in the US.

Projects scheduled include serving and cleaning up at the St. Vincent DePaul Cafeteria in Scottsdale, Arizona, where between 800 to 1,100 people in need receive midday meals each day.