A new initiative promoting good parenting kicked off on Saturday with a successful pancake breakfast held at the Fairmont Southampton.

The All Pro Dad Bermuda group aims to “transform the face of fatherhood in Bermuda” by hosting events designed to offer bonding experiences for fathers, father figures and children aged five to 17.

The pancake breakfast aimed to raise men’s awareness of their importance as fathers, as well as providing the chance to spend time with their children.

The guest speaker for the event was Mark Merrill, who cofounded non-profit organisation Family First in 1991 to provide marriage and parenting advice.

All Pro Dad is Family First’s fatherhood programme, which began in 1997 as a collaboration between Mr Merrill and Super Bowl-winning American football coach Tony Dungy.

Anthony Roberts, chairman of APD Bermuda, said that demand for the event had seen them up capacity from 400 to 460 seats.

Mr Roberts said: “It was a phenomenal success in terms of the numbers that turned up there were about 430 who came and all the tables were taken up. Those who came were inspired by the message from Mark Merrill to be the best fathers they can be — people left with a lot of enthusiasm.”