Registration begins for 20th End-to-End

Coming your way on May 5th!
 
Registration and pledging for this year’s Bermuda End-to-End (ETE) officially begins today – with organizers urging prospective participants and supporters to sign on early for the May 5 event.
“This is our 20th anniversary, and we want to make this our most successful year ever,” said ETE chair Anne Mello.
 
“As Bermuda’s largest charity event, we have each year been able to attract an amazing, dedicated group of more than 2,000 people willing to walk, cycle, swim, row, paddle or otherwise make their way across the island to support local charities.
 
“Our message to everyone is this: pledge your support,” she said. “Even people who can’t physically participate can join in this one-day charity blitz by sponsoring a participant, or by simply pledging money directly to End-to-End.”
 
The island-wide effort distributes more than $200,000 annually in support of the Bermuda charitable community. This year, the five charities receiving funds are: Bermuda Autism Support and Education Society; Open Airways; Meals on Wheels; Raleigh International; and Keep Bermuda Beautiful.
 
“These five charities all promote our theme this year, which is wellness,” said Mrs. Mello. “They support the well-being of people in Bermuda, whether it is individuals living with specific medical conditions, those unable to prepare meals for themselves, at-risk young people, who, with intervention, could become an asset to the community, and the community at large who will benefit from a cleaner environment.”
 
Mrs. Mello added that Marsh Management Services has just added its corporate sponsorship to the event. “This is particularly significant to us in our 20th year, as the original Marsh presence in Bermuda, then known as J&H, was our original corporate sponsor,” she said.
 
Copies of the registration and pledge form leaflet will be available at many locations, including HSBC, M3 Wireless, family physicians, and sporting goods shops. Registration forms and pledge sheets are downloadable from the End-to-End website, www.bermudaendtoend.bm Pledges can also be made online.
 
In-person registration will also be available Monday April 30 to Friday, May 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at M3 Wireless, 3 Burnaby Street.
 
M3 Wireless CEO Lloyd Fray stated: “We are pleased to once again offer the opportunity for participants to register at the M3 Wireless store on Burnaby Street for the entire week preceding Bermuda End to End.
 
“It’s those pledges that are collected during the week that contribute to the success of the charities Bermuda End-to-End helps each year,” he added.
 
This year, a special group of international young participants will be part of the event: about 100 delegates from Round Square Schools in Canada, the United States, Peru and Thailand will join a team from Bermuda High School (itself a Round Square School) as part of an international conference being held in Bermuda.
 
Round Square Schools follow the Round Square I.D.E.A.L.S., as described by Dr. Kurt Hahn, international educator and founder of The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, The Outward Bound Programme, The United World Colleges and Round Square International. The Round Square I.D.E.A.L.S. stand for Internationalism - Democracy - Environment - Adventure - Leadership - Service.
 
“One of the great things about End-to-End is how inclusive it is,” said Mrs. Mello. “People from all walks of life in Bermuda and from abroad take part. We are very excited to welcome this group to Bermuda and to this event.”
 
Premier Sponsor Bank of Bermuda Foundation encouraged the youth to once again come out and support the End-to-End with their participation and enthusiasm.
 
Director and Secretary David Lang noted: “Last year’s Youth Invasion Award was particularly successful in attracting younger participants and we are pleased to present this Award again with a focus on school spirit.
“We believe it is important to encourage our young people to get involved in their community and to learn and appreciate the aspects of charitable giving, healthy lifestyles and teamwork. The Bermuda End-to-End combines all these elements in a fun atmosphere in which everyone can get involved.”
 
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