The Bank of Bermuda was a patron sponsor of the End to End walk.

In addition to patron sponsorship, The Bank of Bermuda also supported the Youth Invasion initiative. Our objective was to get as many youth as possible to participate in the walk, providing them with a fun and healthy way to spend time with their friends, and in the process, have them learn about charitable giving.

Back in March, we visited some of the high school assemblies, and gave a presentation on the walk, including information about the charities and the variety of things scheduled along the way for their enjoyment. The Bank offered to match all youth pledges, and would present an award to the school with the most participation.

Patty Tatem, from The Fitness Factory (the bank's gym) assisted with a special stretch station at South Shore junction. Elmore Warren from Al & Criff's video was ever present along the route, lying in wait to capture the youth on video.

Some of the footage will be aired on the Al & Chrif's show, winter 1998 season starting in October. All youth sign ups received a YOUTH INVASION cap, to ward off the sun and heat.

Due to the SAT exams being scheduled on that same Saturday, and a P.R.I.D.E.

conference scheduled overseas for that same weekend, our numbers were not as high as we hoped. But approximately 40 students from CedarBridge Academy, Warwick Academy, Dellwood, Bermuda High School, Saltus, Harrington Sound, Spice Valley, Northlands, Elliott, Whitney, West Pembroke and Berkeley, collectively raised approximately $4,800 in sponsorship pledges.

The Bank of Bermuda will match these youth pledges.

Bermuda High School had the most participants, 16 girls raised $3,158! The top pledge earner was Melissa DeSilva , who managed to collect $1,335 in pledges! Holly Ann Deitz was runner up with pledges totalling just over $500. These 2 individuals will receive a special "gift pack'' sponsored by TeleBermuda.

Although most of the youth walked the Middle to End (15 miles), special mention should go to those who walked the entire 26 miles: Graham Frith -- Saltus -- Who beat both his mother and father by miles, and was seen waiting anxiously at the finish.

You'e never too young to walk Maybe his dad stopped for a rest somewhere?? Jahnai Raynor -- A 12-year-old who set out to beat his mother, and did! And he was the first youth across the line.

Chloe Pearman -- A Whitney student who was convinced by her aunt that this would be a great thing to do! Danielle Corss -- From BHS who walked with her mother.

To all those youth who participated in the walk, congratulations and well done! By now your friends will see that you survived, with feet and brain cells still intact, and because of you the charities received close to $10,000! TOP YOUNG FUND RAISER -- Melissa DeSilva, left, raised the most pedges for Youth Invasion -- $1,335. Her friend Ashley Kirkpatrick did not reguister for the walk, but went along to suport her friend.

ONE END TO THE OTHER -- Jahnai Raynor, 12, from Spice Valley Middle School, did the whole End to End Walk and was the first young person to reach Dockyard.

ON THE ROAD -- CedarBridge Academy students Shanee Strong and Tiffany Tucker, who took part in the Middle to End Walk, finishing in four hours and ten minutes.