A band of pirates yesterday invaded the Bermuda Regiment HQ in a bid to kidnap Commanding Officer Lt Col Michael Foster-Brown for ransom.

Col Foster-Brown — who repelled the boarders with his ceremonial sword before allowing himself to be taken prisoner — said the pirate raid was to help raise funds for sail training charity the Bermuda Sloop Foundation.

Now he faces walking the plank on Sunday, March 1 if he fails to raise at least $1500 in ransom money for the charity’s annual fundraising drive.

Donors can also pay cash to the charity with the proviso that the Colonel has to walk the plank off the charity’s Spirit of Bermuda into Hamilton Harbour.

Lt Col Foster-Brown said: “The Bermuda Sloop Foundation aims to build character and develop qualities which in many ways are similar to those we promote in the Regiment.

“These include responsibility, accountability, resilience, self-confidence and team spirit — there’s a significant overlap in terms of what the Regiment does in developing young adults.”

He added: “We always like to support charities where we can and it’s very much part of the ethos of the Regiment that we are at the heart of the community we serve.

“I’m delighted to make a small contribution — even if that means walking the plank, which I fully expect to have to do.”

Anyone who wants to help raise Col Foster-Brown’s ransom — or ensure he gets a ducking — can pay online at www.piratesofbermuda.com until noon on Saturday, February 28.

Sponsors can also pay by cheque, made payable to Bermuda Sloop Foundation, which must be received by 3pm on Friday, February 28.

Cheques can be delivered to the foundation’s offices on Hamilton’s Wesley Street or posted to PO Box HM 2442, Hamilton, HMJX.