Chewstick Foundation increases its involvement in Catlin End-to-End

The End-to-End walk is just the beginning according to Tiffany Paynter, the Youth Programme Co-ordinator for the Chewstick Foundation. She and Gavin Smith are urging Bermuda's young people to kick in and take part in an event that helps their community on so many levels, beginning on March 1 with the Youth "Get Ready, Get Fit" programme.

The whole of the extended Chewstick family is committed to participating in the annual fundraiser this year, some walking for the very first time.

It's exciting that so many first timers are committing to participating this year," Ms Paynter observed, expressing the hope that their unique relationship with the Island's youth will mobilise them to support such a good cause.

But it won't stop on the evening of May 1; the walk, it is hoped, will build momentum for year-long community involvement.

"You can be cool and fun and still be active and conscious," Ms Paynter asserted when invited to explain Chewstick's extended involvement in the annual event sponsored by Catlin that will take place on May 1 this year.

Gavin Smith explained that Chewstick had been involved in the past, providing live entertainment at the Dockyard finish, but he is hoping to expand their involvement, enlisting the help of energetic young people to seek sponsorship and participate in the walk, if not the whole 24 miles, then the Middle-to-End's 14.7 miles. "And if they can't walk, they can ride," Mr. Smith suggested with a smile.

There are also opportunities to man stalls along the route from St. George's to Dockyard, providing music, spoken performance and other inspiration to the walkers.

The Chewstick Foundation is committed to creating a culture of holistic development, believing that too much emphasis is placed on the pursuit of a career. "We're engaged in the revolution of our minds, our bodies and our souls," Ms Paynter explained.

Though it has existed for seven years, Chewstick has only recently become a registered charity, and is currently involved in several projects for students after school, for Bermuda College students through the Registered Student Organisation and for adults through a prison outreach initiative. Their enrichment programmes aim to help emerging artists develop a deeper understanding of their voice and our world, according to Mr. Smith, with the ultimate goal of engaging youth and bringing the community together.

End-to-End organiser Chris Burns noted that the event has always been enthusiastically supported by adults, and as a number of the charities to receive funds this year involve youth, including the Sandys 360 centre, the Bermuda School of Music and the Reading Clinic, the organisers are hoping to get even greater participation from Bermuda's young people. They are looking for support not just with fundraising, but general participation and support in community events on the Island.

Although the 12-week "Get Ready, Get Fit" walking/training programme for adults has already begun, Youth Get Ready, Get Fit begins March 1. Young people are urged get on board , and to see the walk as an opportunity to get fit, create a sense of community within their class and their school, and have fun. Incentives are being worked out for teachers and schools that sign up the greatest number of student participants in the May 1 event.

From the Royal Gazette.