Almost a hundred skaters will take to the Island's roads on Bermuda Day to pay tribute to well-known local sporting figure Tom MacNeil who died of a heart attack while playing In-line hockey with friends last month.

Father-of-two MacNeil was president of the Bermuda In-Line Hockey League (BIHL) and senior executive of the Little League and Rookie League baseball programmes. The 42-year-old was also managing director at New Star Asset Management, in Queen Street, Hamilton.

All proceeds raised from 'Skate for Tom - Realise the Dream' will go towards covering the costs of a much-needed refurbishment and expansion of the BIHL's rink at Admiralty Park in Pembroke.

It was MacNeil's dream to see the facility receive the $125,000 facelift, which will also pay for spectator benches, new lights, a penalty box and scorer's box and fencing around the walls to keep balls from flying out.

Pending planning approval, it is hoped the project will be completed by the end of the summer in time for the start of the 2008 hockey season.

Organiser of 'Skate for Tom' Mike Daly, also a member of the BIHL, described his close friend MacNeil as a devoted family man who was extremely passionate about In-line hockey and baseball.

"Tom was a fantastic man who was passionate about improving In-line hockey and baseball facilities for all Bermudian children," said Daly.

"He donated much of his time to both sports and it was his dream to see the hockey rink at Admiralty Park receive a long overdue facelift.

"Hopefully we can make his dream a reality and honour a man who gave so much to these two sports in Bermuda and especially the children."

'Skate for Tom - Realise the Dream' will see the BIHL join up with Bermuda In-line Skating Association (BISA) for the May 26 race with 92 participants confirmed to skate between one and 11 miles.

Each skater will be collecting sponsorship donations.

Daly said the purpose of the BIHL's involvement in Bermuda Day was also to help raise awareness of In-line hockey and skating on the Island.

The BIHL programme runs from October to March every year and promotes participation for children who are five to 16 years old. Last season they had 120 participants, 25 of which were girls.

MacNeil arrived in Bermuda 16 years ago from his native Nova Scotia in Canada. He leaves behind wife Gail and sons Tyler, 12, and Riley, 10.