Sandra Richards-Vance has been a key player in helping to organise Bermuda Heroes Weekend and Passion Bermuda’s wildly popular May 24 soca float.

Tonight she will join a more serious cause as Passion Bermuda goes on a Wacky Walk in the city to raise funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Watch for them as they leave from City Hall at 6pm.

Here, Mrs Richards-Vance explains why the group got involved ...

• Why did you choose to support this particular charity?

Big Brothers Big Sisters is an excellent organisation. It’s important to give that stability to children who don’t always know what a healthy family looks like and operates like; just to give children that extra bit of love. Charities around the Island have been hit by the economic situation we’re in so any help will be beneficial and allow them to continue their programmes. Plus, it’s fun and you can get your exercise in at the same time.

• How did you get involved with Passion Bermuda and Bermuda Heroes Weekend?

My husband is Trinidadian so that was the easy segue. I have been doing Trinidad carnival for seven years. Our first year was very mellow because we took our son with us, but the next year he stayed at home — I’ll leave it at that. People always ask, ‘Why do you go? What’s the draw about it?’.

To be honest I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s multiple events for adults to have a good time with no drama, with the culmination being Carnival Monday and Tuesday. Everyone goes there for the same thing. It’s people of all races and different categories. Everyone bonds over listening to soca music and letting their hair down. There are Bermudians that have been going for at least ten years and it’s been great to share those experiences with Bermuda via Bermuda Heroes Weekend.

• What does Passion Bermuda have coming up?

Bermuda Heroes Weekend is having a band launch weekend on November 20 and 21 and getting all nine bands together before the 2016 event [June 17-20]. We’ll have returning bands Party People, Passion Bermuda Mas Band, RealFrenz and Caribbean Massive as well as new bands Nova Mas International, Code Red, Intense, X-Plosiv and Band Addiction.

Each band will each have an opportunity to showcase their costumes and build up the hype for next summer’s event. There will also be a gala event on November 21. Corey Butterfield will talk about how Carnival is tied to our Bermudian heritage.

• People of all ages are encouraged to come out in costume or wacky attire on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters. The charity will accept donations of $5 for children and students and $10 for adults.