beaten up by two stick-wielding robbers, is raising money to fly them back to the Island.

Lt. Col. Cragin Curtis has rounded up an anonymous group of colleagues who have raised hundreds of dollars to date.

He believes that by the end of the month the group will have raised the $2,000 needed to fly Mr. and Mrs. Gary Bradshaw back and put them up at a guest house.

"The private sector felt Bermuda should do something for them,'' Lt. Col.

Curtis said.

"We wanted to show them that the side of Bermuda they experienced is not too prevalent. There are many of us who feel life here is still on the safe side.'' Lt. Col. Curtis said he has been in touch with the Bradshaws in Houston, Texas and they were "happy to return''.

"They realise they were just a couple who happened to be picked on,'' he said. "They still have a good attitude about Bermuda.'' Tourism Minister Mr. CV (Jim) Woolridge yesterday commended the group for its efforts and said he would be meeting with its members next week to see how his Ministry can help. "It's a great idea,'' he said.

The two visitors were attacked around midnight last month on South Shore Road near the Mid Ocean Golf Course.

The robbers had knocked them off their livery cycle while they were riding back to Marriott's Castle Harbour Resort.

Lt. Col. Curtis was alerted by screaming and the "sickening'' sound of beating and ran to help them.

But by the time he arrived the robbers had fled, having stolen $80 from Mr.

Bradshaw's wallet.

Lt. Col. Curtis said Mrs. Celia Bradshaw was in tears and she and her husband were badly bruised.

The attack prompted Lt. Col. Curtis to call for corporal punishment.