ON Sunday it will be a year to the day since Douglas Anfossi collapsed and died from diabetic trauma at the young age of 39.

And on Sunday, 50 of Mr. Anfossi's many friends will mark the sad anniversary by walking the International Race Weekend half-marathon course to raise money for appropriate causes.

The money they raise will go towards The Diabetes Association and The Douglas C. Anfossi Scholarship Fund, which will provide up to $2,500 per year for the two-year airconditioning course at Bermuda College.

Karen Olson, of the Rosemont Hotel, said: "We're doing this because Douglas was a fine-living person with so many good friends and he was a good friend to all of us.

"We're calling it `A Walk With Douglas' and it's a bunch of his buddies who are not athleticly inclined who are getting out there and walking in his memory and raising money."

The group will stand out clearly among the hundreds making their way around the 13.1-mile course as they will all be wearing specially made T-shirts emblazoned with Mr. Anfossi's picture.

Another of the walkers, William Cox, said: "Douglas was a wonderful guy who illustrated to all of us the value of living life for the moment. He was an accomplished mariner and delivered many boats across the ocean.

"On many mornings you would hear one of his recently restored Triumph motorcycles beat its way through Hamilton. He last worked at Air Care where he was loved through out the firm."

His work in the airconditioning business inspired his friends to set up the scholarship in Mr. Anfossi's name.

"This will not only preserve his memory but help another young Bermudian further his education in a field which Douglas loved," said Mr. Cox.