20th End-to-End sets records for participation and fundraising

See you on May 3, 2008!
The Bermuda End-to-End’s 20th year was a smash hit – with the largest-ever number of participants involved, and the highest amount of money raised in the history of the event.
 
“By every measure, our 20th anniversary event was a record,” said Bermuda End-to-End chair Anne Mello. “We were hoping to make this important year in our existence a milestone which was worthy of note – and we were overwhelmed by the support we received.
 
“The final figures are in, and show that more than 2,500 people walked, cycled, swam or otherwise made their way across the island on May 5,” she said. “And the event raised more than $250,000, a record which we are
very pleased to report. ”
“None of this was possible without the tireless support of our network of sponsors and volunteers,” she added. “We are always very grateful to the ongoing contribution of our Premier Sponsors -- the Bank of Bermuda Foundation and M3 Wireless – and for the giving spirit of all those who volunteered their time and effort to make End-to-End such a unifying charitable event.”
 
“We are delighted that so many youth participants and schools continued their support for this most worthwhile event that not only encourages physical activity and team sportsmanship but promotes philanthropy within Bermuda’s younger generation,” said David Lang, director and Secretary of the Bank of Bermuda Foundation.
 
“This year we were particularly encouraged by the outstanding turnout of Berkeley Institute with over 250 participants who raised over $11,000 and the involvement of an international student team, Round Square, in partnership with the Bermuda High School for Girls. We congratulate all of the schools, the teachers and the students for their participation and for recognising the importance of supporting this event that benefits our entire community.”
 
“The record figures regarding number of participants and pledges raised during Bermuda End-to-End’s 20th anniversary, can only attest to the strength of the organization, its partnerships with sponsors and the many volunteers who all worked in unison to make this event the success that it was,” remarked M3 Wireless CEO, Lloyd Fray.
 
“As a premier corporate sponsor for the past decade, M3 Wireless has participated in and witnessed the continuous growth of this annual event in serving the financial support of Bermuda’s charities; no small feat.
 
“We congratulate the Group for its vision and management of the Bermuda End-to-End event and look forward to watching it evolve in the decades to come,” stated Mr. Fray, “and we also look forward to the positive benefits to the community that the recipient charities will be able to introduce with the funds received from End to End.”
 
At a news conference held today, Mrs. Mello presented cheques to the five charities supported by this year’s event. Their mission and the uses of End-to-End funds are listed in the attached addendum.
 
1. Bermuda Autism Support and Education

Created by a group of parents whose children had been diagnosed with Autism. Provides support for families and professionals and all persons living with or whose lives are touched by Autism, and brings a greater awareness and support of Autism through education (training and workshops) and information resources.
 
The End to End funds will help to equip an Early Intervention Centre that will teach children who suffer from Autism the skills and tools they need to be integrated into the school system with the least amount of assistance, and to generally improve their quality of life. The centre, to open in September 2007, will offer each client an individualized programme of intensive teaching, as well as speech, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and sensory integration.
 
2. Meals on Wheels

In operation since 1975, this organization provides meals four days a week to the elderly or infirm, or those who live without adequate kitchen facilities. It delivers 200 meals daily.
 
MOW charges $4.00 per meal – a little over half the true cost of each meal. In some cases, recipients cannot afford to pay for meals at all, meaning that donors must provide funds to supplement the shortfall. End-to-End funds will help MOW pay for the meals.
 
3. Open Airways

This organization was founded in 1997 and provides specialized education in asthma, allergy and other respiratory diseases such as emphysema to health care professionals who deliver care to such individuals. (In Bermuda, about 9,000 people – including one in every four pre-school children – suffer from asthma).
 
End-to-End funds will support Open Airways’ new endowment fund to help them “Help Bermuda Breathe.”
 
4. Keep Bermuda Beautiful

Founded in 1923, KBB focuses on the importance of a clean environment. In the many years since, litter has remained an ongoing challenge. KBB organizes campaigns to clean up litter hot spots – initiating or assisting in more than 60 during 2006. Volunteers have collected on average 2.6 tonnes of waste per month this year.
 
End-to-End funds will support a litter awareness campaign, seeking to change Bermuda’s attitude and behaviour toward the problem of littering – and make it socially unacceptable to litter in Bermuda.
 
5. Raleigh International
Established in Bermuda in 2003, and affiliated with Raleigh UK, this group was created to provide “at risk” teens with academic, social and/or behavioral issues, with an off-island opportunity to learn they are truly capable of great things. Students participate in a 10-week expedition in remote villages in Malaysia and Namibia, where they participate in physical activities and activities to benefit the local communities.
 
On their return to Bermuda, they work toward their own long-term goals by completing school, undergoing community service programmes, and receiving assistance with job placement, college and scholarship applications. End-to-End funds will support at-risk venturers as they develop life skills.
 
 
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