With Father's Day approaching on June 15, family advocacy group ChildWatch is hoping to highlight the importance of fathers through a letter-writing competition.

ChildWatch has been running adverts in The Royal Gazette encouraging children aged seven to 18 to explain in a letter, 500 words or less, "why your dad is a wonderful dad to you".

There are four age categories and four winners with the child's father winning prizes too.

Numerous prizes are up for grabs including: a bicycle radio, DVD player, TV, stereo and free buffets for two families of three at the Elbow Beach Hotel.

The letter's minimum wordage is 100 words and should be titled "Letter to Dad". ChildWatch co-founder and treasurer Edward Tavares came up with the idea.

"We're also looking to add gift certificates from Gorham's Ltd. and Music World to the prize list," Mr. Tavares said.

"We want to promote families, of course and fatherhood and the importance of fathers in the lives of their children.

"This competition is a good thing for both the father and the child. It's good for the child because they get to express their feelings — and win prizes too.

"As for the father, the letter would foster communication between them and their children and they get a sense of value and appreciation."

Letters should be neatly handwritten or typed and emailed to childwatch.bermuda@yahoo.com">childwatch.bermuda@yahoo.com or mailed to ChildWatch, suite No. 1080, #48 Par-la-Ville Road Hamilton HM 11, no later than May 30.

Judges will be looking at the author's ability to write articulately and passionately, which will be the winning criteria.

The campaign is also sponsored by The Royal Gazette, M&M International, Gorham's, Elbow Beach Hotel, Mailboxes Unlimited and Music World.

Letters will be judged by a panel of professionals assembled by ChildWatch.

Mr. Tavares and Eddie Fisher co-founded ChildWatch about ten years ago to protest the alleged preferential treatment women are given in family courts.

ChildWatch has shifted from a focus on father's rights to that of the welfare of children and the family.

The organisation was instrumental in getting Government to proclaim a day last month as Parental Alienation Awareness Day, which was backed by Minister of Culture Dale Butler.

The international campaign, launched by Canada-based Parental Alienation Awareness Association, called on parents to stop alienating each other in front of their children and likened it to a form of child abuse.

Mr. Tavares, quoting a 2006 statement from psychologist Dr. Gordon Finley, added: "Fathers have come from 'father knows best' to 'father is non-essential'."

He also pointed out about Bermuda: "I know of many fathers who are single-handedly raising their children and I think that's important to note."

For more information on the letter competition telephone 292-3529.