More than a dozen public schools are taking part in an annual raffle organised by a service organisation to support education on the island.

The Pembroke Rotary Club said the proceeds from the charity event, now in its 30th year, would go directly to the 16 schools taking part in a raffle set to be drawn on March 14.

The club said each school would be rewarded based on the number of tickets sold, noting that a ticket costs $5 — the same price as in 1996 when the event was first held.

“Schools receive the total net profit from what they sell,” the club said.

Dalton E Tucker Primary, East End Primary, Elliot Parish, Francis Patton, Harrington Sound, Northlands Primary, Paget Primary, Purvis Parish, Somerset Primary, St David’s Primary, St George’s Preparatory School, Port Royal Primary, Victor Scott Primary, West End Primary, West Pembroke Primary and Bermuda Centre for Creative Learning are taking part.

Each school uses the money to “improve the education experience for students,” the club said.

It added: “Funds have been used for a wide array of educational enhancements from electronics and teaching aids to playground equipment and educational travel.”

The raffle started in 1996 at Paget Primary when the school contacted the organisation for financial support for an educational trip to Wales.

“It was the beginning of a highly successful partnership with the island’s public primary schools that continues to this day,” the club said.

To date the club has raised more than $2.2 million through the charitable gesture to assist public schools.

Over the past 25 years, Gary Edwards, a member of the club, and former member Gary Taylor have organised the raffle.

Mr Taylor and Mr Roberts said the co-ordination to host the event was a “team effort” between the club, schools, students, school supporters and prize sponsors.

The club thanked generous supporters who contributed to its success over the years.

• For information on how to support the raffle, contact Barbara Edwards, Pembroke Rotary Club’s president, on 236-8862