End to End walk hailed a success
charities than last year.
Organisers say a cool breeze helped draw a record crowd of more than 800 people onto Bermuda's roads for the 26-mile trek from St. George's to Dockyard on Saturday.
End to End 2000 has also been hailed an environmental success, with a team of trash collectors following the walkers to clean up any discarded mess.
The five charities set to benefit from this year's event are on schedule to receive more money than last, said event chairperson Paul Rowlenson.
"I'm pretty sure we're up on last year and the number taking part is also up, probably by about 50,'' he said yesterday.
"The money was good. We're still counting, but we've already counted $157,000 and money will be coming in after the event.
"Some companies are matching donations, so it depends on the scale of that as well,'' he said.
Mr. Rowlenson said he was confident the charities -- the Physical Abuse Centre, Teen Haven, TB Cancer and Health Association, St. George's Parish Rest Home, and the Hands of Love Ministry -- will share around $160,000, once the organisers' expenses are deducted.
A total of 386 walked the length of the Island, with a further 423 completing the 15 mile middle to end route from Albuoy's Point in Hamilton to Dockyard.
End to End committee member Terri Durrant said: "It went really well, very smoothly. We had problems in years gone by with trash, but we hired someone this year to pick it up behind us.
"We had water and snacks provided by local wholesalers and grocers and it was all very well organised.
"We had a nice north west breeze, so it wasn't too hot. Some years it has been unbearable, but this year was nice.''