labour yesterday.

Organisers revealed that the funds raised during the charitable event's tenth anniversary almost doubled the $128,000 raised last year.

"A total of $241,000 was collected in pledges by End-To-End walkers,'' chairperson Starla Williams told those who gathered at City Hall for the presentation of the funds.

"This exceeds the best ever prior year (1996) by $116,000 -- again demonstrating the amazing generosity of Bermuda's people. This record breaking amount has far exceeded projections and is more than sufficient to meet the needs of this year's charities.

"Consequently, the End-To-End Committee will be making a second distribution of funds to further charitable organisations later in the year.'' On hand yesterday to collect $150,000 in End-To-End donations were representatives of Crime Stoppers Bermuda, Friends of the Bermuda Library, the Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association and the Senior Islanders Club.

Each charity explained how the funds will be used.

The Senior Islanders Club intends to replace an ageing bus with a new one. the fund donated will also enable the club to license and insure it for two years, supply gas and maintain the vehicle for five years.

Crime Stoppers plans to use its funds to implement a Scholastic Crime Stoppers Programme in each of Bermuda's secondary schools.

The organisation also wants to increase public awareness of its new mascot "Stompy''.

The Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association will use its donation to refurbish its pool facilities.

The Friends of the Bermuda Library plan to use their money to continue to improve reading access for Bermuda by buying new books for both the National and Youth Libraries.

They will also put a portion of the money toward a "mechanical reader'' which will allow the visually impaired to enjoy a broader selection of reading material.

Corporate sponsors of this year's walk were Johnson & Higgins/Marsh & McLennan, Colonial Insurance and the Bank of Bermuda.

Of the more than 1,200 people who participated in the walk, Fran Tucker was named the highest producer of the walk for raising more than $4,000.

NO END TO DONATIONS -- The money raised in the tenth End-to-End Walk was yesterday donated to four charities. Pictured are Johnson & Higgins/March & McLennan sponsors Bryan Hall and Andrew Carr, Colonial Insurance sponsor Dewane Hill, End-To-End Committee members Hazel Taylor, Carol Brooks, Karin Wolffe, Valerie Dill, Paul Rowlerson, Starla Williams, Anne Mello, Crime Stoppers recipient McNeil Warner and mascot Stompy, Friends of the Bermuda Library recipient Dorothy Packwood, Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association recipient Jim Ferguson, and Senior Islanders Club recipient Margaret Swan.