Grammy award winning entertainer Lou Rawls will sing at a black tie gala next month to kick off a fund raising drive for the Bermuda T.B. Cancer and Health Association's new scholarship fund.

The Valentine Black Tie Gala will take place on February 12, at the Fairmont Southampton. It will also feature local performers Prestige and is under the distinguished patronage of the Acting Governor Nick Carter and Mrs. Andrea Carter.

The evening starts off with a cocktail party, followed by gourmet dining, then dancing to the sounds of Prestige, and later the velvety voice of Mr. Rawls performing live with his group will fill the room.

The Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be Mike Bishop of VSB. The Bermuda T.B. Cancer and Health Association's new scholarship is designed to offer students an opportunity to study medical radiation sciences through an accredited programme.

The Association is committed to the future of healthcare on the Island, said president Judy Siddle Simons.

"We see our youth as our most precious resource and investing in our young people through further education will enable them to contribute to and benefit from the Association's ongoing pledge to excellence in health care education and prevention," she said.

This is the first official fund raising event for the scholarship and all funds raised will go directly towards the start-up of the scholarship programme.

Mrs. Siddle Simons said: "Now the first major fund raising event is in process, the next step will be to formulate a Scholarship Fund Committee who will be mandated to design and develop guidelines."

The Association anticipates that the scholarship programme will be in operation for September 2006. "The introduction of the scholarship programme will help ensure that the legacy of excellence in health care education and prevention is upheld by The Bermuda T.B. Cancer & Health Association for generations to come," she said.

"Our services in health screening ? mammography, bone densitometry and ultrasound are growing every year. Trained technicians with these skills will continue to be in high demand in all health facilities.

"As an accredited facility T.B. Cancer & Health Association wants to highlight the future career possibilities to suitably qualified Bermudian students who may not have considered entering this speciality field."

She has asked that corporations and the general public support this important initiative in the interest of future community health care development.

Tickets for the Lou Rawls Valentine Gala are $250 and can be purchased from the TB Cancer & Health Association at 236 0947. Mr. Rawls has been involved with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) for over 25 years. Last January, he was honoured in An Evening of Stars 25th Anniversary Celebration ? A Tribute to Lou Rawls, for his continued generosity and support of the UNCF.

He also hosts The Parade of Stars Telethon and over the years through this and other fund raising ventures has raised over $200 million for the UNCF.