Operation Spice Relief is being helped by local businesses who donated tools and supplies for the 173 Bermuda Regiment soldiers headed to Grenada this week to repair hurricane damage.

Hardware companies SAL, Standard Hardware and construction firm Baptiste Builders donated many tools and equipment for the trip.

In addition, Government has committed at least $50,000 to cover the cost of materials.

Adjutant, Capt. Lauren Smith said the soldiers will be flying to Grenada in two different flights.

?The first lot will leave on February 19 and remain until March 5,? he said.

?The 105 soldiers will be made up of ?A Company? with minor elements of Quartermasters, Support Company, Regimental Headquarters and Training Wing?.

The remaining 68 soldiers will leave Bermuda on March 5 and return on March 19.

He said this group consisted of a larger element of Support Company with minor elements of the other three companies.

On January 25, Regiment Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Edward Lamb announced the Regiment?s annual overseas camp would be held in Grenada to assist in the recovery efforts following the destruction caused by Hurricane Ivan last year.

Lt. Col. Lamb is also travelling with his soldiers and will be the Commanding Officer of the Grenada camp.

?Operation Spice Relief? ? so-called because Grenada is an island famous for its spices, Capt. Smith said ? will refurbish the St. David?s Community Centre and will refurbish and erect new roofs on the St. David?s Primary School and St. David?s Pre-school and Kindergarten.

And 12 soldiers from the East of England Regiment are sending detachments to Grenada as well.

The East of England Regiment is the Territorial Army battalion affiliated with the Royal Anglian Regiment, with whom the Bermuda Regiment has had a long association.

?The Bermuda Fire Service will attach two of their Emergency Medical Teams ? one to each group?, he added.