As preparations for the region's largest secondary schools athletics championships get into high gear, telecommunications firm LIME is once again answering the call for support.

The company will be providing financial assistance of more than $3 million to schools through various initiatives it has planned ahead of the annual Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association/Grace Kennedy Boys & Girls' Championship scheduled for March 24-28.

"Having been on board for several years, we are aware of the many challenges that schools face in getting athletes ready for Champs each year. Their expenses include meals and nutrition, transportation, boarding, and the like, which often are not included in its regular administrative funding. Through the donations we will be making over the period, we hope to offer well-needed support which will ultimately improve the quality of the performances at the games' shared Stephen Miller, LIME sponsorship and events manager.

The first segment of the programme was launched at the Hydel Group of Schools last Friday.

LIME staged the first in its series of Journey to Champs pep rallies, which saw the school receiving a cheque for $100,000 and a high energy injection of performances and giveaways. Intended to spark a school spirit and friendly rivalry leading into the annual four-day meet, LIME has selected six high schools for the series. The others include, Calabar High School, Edwin Allen High, Kingston College, Jamaica College and St Jago High School.

Excited about this year's plans, Miller said that as the official telecommunications provider powering the most prestigious high school athletics meet in this hemisphere, the company saw it fitting to begin preparations for the 2015 championships with a bang.