Cycling's Bermuda Grand Prix and the Elbow Beach Celebrity Tennis Classic both welcomed cash injections yesterday from Butterfield Bank who were also named title sponsors for the Grand Prix.

Both events are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks with overseas celebrities and athletes flying in to take part.

The Grand Prix, Bermuda's premier cycle race weekend, received $10,000 while the Tennis Classic benefited to the tune of $15,000.

On hand for the announcement were Butterfield's executive vice-president Michael Collins, Bermuda Bicycle Association (BBA) president Peter Dunne and Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) president David Lambert.

The Grand Prix will consist of three races over two days – September 19 and 20 – with a criterium at Morgan's Point, a circuit race around Hamilton and a time trial at Southside.

Dunne thanked the bank, saying: "The BBA is thrilled to have Butterfield's support for this, the most significant race on our calendar.

"Having a partner such as Butterfield will allow us to continue the 20-year tradition of the Bermuda Grand Prix that has served to highlight the development of the sport of cycling in Bermuda."

The Tennis Classic is scheduled for September 23 to 26 with international celebrities again taking part. The likes of tennis stars Hana Mandlikova, Katrina Adams, Lori McNeil along with former Mayor of New York David Dinkins as well as former boxing champion Laila Ali and her husband NFL star Curtis Conway have all agreed to fly down to Bermuda for the Classic.

Classic organiser Lambert said: "The Elbow Beach Tennis Classic is in its fifth year and funds from the event are invested in Bermuda's top junior teams that will partake in the ITF world ranking junior tournaments."

Collins added: "Promoting sport and assisting with community events like this one are important elements in Butterfield's corporate social responsibility efforts."