Representatives from four local charities were rubbing their hands with glee at the Bank of Bermuda yesterday after receiving large donations derived from the Ross (Blackie) Talbot Charity Golf Classic.

The popular annual tournament, which continues to grow in stature, generated a whopping $225,000 in proceeds ? a record for the event which is now in its 13th year.

Executive Director of the Masterworks Foundation Tom Butterfield took possession of a cheque for $70,000, which he revealed would go towards the Foundation's youth programme.

Wayne Jackson, a trustee of the Ross (Blackie) Talbot Foundation ? which focuses on funding young Bermudians involved in the performing arts ? picked up a cheque for $65,000 while the executive director of De Boys Day Out Mentoring programme received $60,000.

The Bermuda Optimist Dingy Association (BODA), represented by chairman Eddie Saints, was given $30,000 towards their Outreach Programme ? an initiative whose mandate is to promote and develop youth sailing programmes at boat clubs Island-wide.

"This year our fund raising focus was on helping Bermuda's youth," said the chairman of the RBT charity committee Clement Talbot.

"Each year I am surprised and amazed at how the RBT Charity Classic goes from strength to strength. This year we introduced a new junior Pro-Am tournament and had a record number of 550 participants representing all walks of life.

"We are truly inspired and gratified that the tournament continues to embrace the wishes of Ross Blackie Talbot, by promoting racial harmony, camaraderie, fellowship, respect and 'one Bermuda'."

Meanwhile, Bank of Bermuda chief executive Phillip Butterfield also lavished praise on the event while pledging the bank's future support.

"It is a foundation which does fundamentally good work in the community ? it is one of the few, perhaps the only event that brings all of us in Bermuda together," he said.