A special event designed to kit out hundreds of pupils for the new school term is to be held tomorrow.

Organisers of the annual Back to School Extravaganza said new sponsors had been recruited to help prepare youngsters for their first day back in the classroom.

The event, organised by Dwayne and Wayne Caines and Five Star Barbershop, will mean children will get free haircuts and school supplies.

They will also be offered aquarium memberships, dental screenings, library memberships and 20 tickets to a girls' conference. Donations came from the Bermuda Zoological Society, Coral Dental, the Bermuda Youth Library and the Pristine Group, an event planning organisation.

Dwayne Caines, media manager for the Bermuda Police Service, said this year's theme was “success never sleeps”. Mr Caines said the message for pupils was “in order to be the best you can be, you must be focused, dedicated and committed to your future, and that starts now”.

He added: “We recognise that students will visit us for haircuts and hair braiding, but this event is designed to create a fun and empowering atmosphere that will inject our youth with hope and to allow them to see and feel the community love and support.”

Wayne Caines, the national security minister, is in London on government business and will be unable to attend.

Travis Caines, whose three-year-old son Michael is due for a trim, called it “one of the best days of the year”.

The charity event attracted more than 600 youngsters last year and similar numbers are expected tomorrow.

The back-to-school event will start at 8am at the New Testament Church of God Heritage Worship Centre on Hamilton's Dundonald Street.

The organisers said all boys' haircuts will be basic, with no designs, and all girls' hair must be washed and de-tangled.

Pupils will also get backpacks, lunch bags, gym bags, as well as other necessities.

Mr Caines added that food and soft drinks will be on offer.

The extravaganza's main sponsors are Sun Life Financial International and reinsurance firm Hiscox. Other sponsors are insurance broker Marsh and McLennan, beauty and hairdressing supplies company Sunshine Company and transport firm Titan Express.

Mr Caines said that volunteers are still needed.

• Anyone who can help should contact Deshay Caines at 500-1989 or e-mail at deshay@tpgbda.com