April 29, it will mark the eighth proud year that the End-to-End charity fund-raiser has taken place.

The walk started in 1988 with 186 walkers who took between five hours and 28 minutes and 10 hours and 35 minutes to complete the walk from Dockyard to St.

George's, and raise $43,200 for charity.

In 1994, 835 walkers completed the course, taking between four hours and 45 minutes and nine hours and 45 minutes to raise $100,000 for charity.

Throughout the seven years of the walk's existence, 24 charities have benefitted from the more than half a million dollars raised.

The concept of a full walking marathon -- believed to be the only one of its kind in the world -- grew out of discussions between three employees of Johnson & Higgins -- Mr. Clive Cotton, Mr. Jon Borrill and Mr. Paul Rowlerson.

"At first we were going to go for a stroll and raise money for charity, but as word of our plan spread, it evolved into the first End-to-End walk with 186 participants, who raised $43,200,'' Mr. Rowlerson recalled.

Since then, the unique event has become so popular that it now takes a team of people almost a year to organise.

Naturally, an event of this magnitude requires meticulous planning because so much has to be taken into consideration and so many walkers participate.

Among the myriad details the organising committee must address are policing, portable toilets, water stops, sponsors, volunteers, medical and first aid assistance, T-shirts, printing, mailing lists, accounting.

"It is a logistical nightmare,'' Mr. Rowlerson -- the only one of the founding trio still on the Island -- conceded.

In addition, there is paper work, including newsletters and information kits for participants, which must be written, compiled and distributed.

The most difficult task of all, however, is whittling down to four the charities which benefit from each year's event.

In reaching their final decision, the organising committee must consider approximately two dozen well-presented, and often heart-rending, applications.

"It is very emotionally draining,'' Mr. Eugene Carmichael, a member of the organising committee, said. "There are so many worthy causes that it often takes us a month just to decide on the final four.'' The choices are in keeping with End to End's policy of helping organisations and registered charities who do not benefit from the services of professional fund-raisers.

To be considered, potential beneficiaries must submit detailed applications in writing, not only of their financial position, but also their needs and how the money would actually be spent.

"We ask for a `mission statement,' a description of a short-term (12 months or less) programme for the use of around $20,000, a list of the officers of the organisation, and a copy of the latest financial statements,'' Mr.

Rowlerson said.

Applications are then examined very thoroughly by the organising committee before final decisions are made.

As to why only four charities are chosen each year, Mr. Rowlerson said this is because End-to-End specifically wants its donations to make a major impact on each beneficiary's work.

"We want the money to make an appreciable difference to these charities. If we supported 20 charities they would only get a small amount each. We hope to give each one $25,000 so they can do something significant,'' he said.

With each donation comes the proviso that the beneficiary must spend the funds within a year, and walkers are appraised of how the previous year's funds were used.

The beneficiaries of this year's funds will be: Friends of Hospice (Agape House), the Learning Centre of Bermuda, the Physical Abuse Centre, and the Bermuda Red Cross.

While the back room work continues, hundreds of men and women of all ages and races, and from all walks of life will be working to get in shape.

Beginning on Sunday, a series of progressive walks will help them build up stamina and loosen muscles.

As has been the case in recent years, the start of the walk will be from the Town Square in St. George's, and for the second half will follow the Railway Trail all the way to the west end.

For those who do not wish to walk the entire 26 miles, a shorter 15-mile route has been devised.

The event is non-competitive, so time and speed are unimportant.

At the finish, each participant -- no matter how long he or she takes -- will be assured of a warm and friendly welcome.

Those who are obliged to curtail their walk will be treated with the same appreciation as those who complete the journey.

Mr. Rowlerson said that although the body may cry out for relief or cessation from the task at hand, fewer minds give in than would be imagined.

He cited, as an example, one walker who, finding the going difficult, resolved to quit at John Smith's Bay.

On arriving there, the late Mrs. Edna Hunt, who severely physically disabled, was waiting in her wheelchair to hand out water to the walkers.

"Thank you honey,'' she said to the flagging individual.

Unwittingly, Mrs. Hunt had provided the impetus for the walker to carry on.

"She felt she couldn't possibly let Edna down after that,'' Mr. Rowlerson remembered.

In any case, all along the route water stops will be well stocked, and have medical personnel (usually nurses) and/or members of St. John Ambulance Brigade in attendance.

In all, approximately 100 volunteers will make sure that the walkers' gruelling journey is made as pleasant and comfortable as possible.

Environmentally friendly End-to-End will also have clean-up crews going over the entire route picking up not only walk-related litter but all other litter in its vicinity.

As always, this year's beneficiaries will be out supporting the event in various ways.

"This is very important for two reasons,'' Mr. Rowlerson said. "One, It is essential for walkers to see the beneficiaries on the day, and it gives the latter an opportunity to express their appreciation to the walkers. Two, from the beneficiaries' viewpoint, receiving the money doesn't seem like charity -- they have actually helped to earn it. There is a certain sense of pride that comes with that.'' Indeed, previous beneficiaries often become permanently involved in helping to stage the walk.

For example, the Allan Vincent Smith Foundation, one of last year's beneficiaries, will return this year to organise the start of the 15 and 26-mile walks.

In an Island where negativity and polarisation are all too common, End-to-End organisers are proud to note that their event has remained a perfect example of what a community should be: harmonious and united for the common good.

"It has always been remarkably free of contention,'' organising committee member Mr. Eugene Carmichael said. "This is what happens when the community comes together for a common cause.

"End to End is a true community success story because, as the organisers of this event, we could never achieve all we do on our own. It is unprecedented in the number of people it reaches and helps.'' That the walk also receives so much support from the business community bears this out.

"Companies help us a great deal in kind,'' Mr. Rowlerson said.

He explained that, instead of soliciting money, organisers asked companies to make donations "in kind'' -- such as water, disposable cups, small snacks (fruit, chocolate bars, etc.) and juices, printing, advertising, and T-shirts.

Mr. Rowlerson's own employers, J & H, provided facilities and staff to support the walk through office skills.

"This approach means we (the organisers) have "zero expenses'' and are able to give all the money we raise to charity,'' he said.

Since there is no entry fee for walkers who sign up in advance, how does so much money get raised? "We encourage each participant to raise funds through personal sponsorships,'' Mr. Rowlerson explained.

The system has proved so effective that there is now a "gold club'' for top fund-raisers, who will be seen sporting special, gold-lettered T-shirts on April 29.

Sadly, End to End's champion gold clubber will not be among them.

"Tom Lamont was the king of them all,'' Mr. Rowlerson said. "For five years he did the End-to-End walk and each time brought in approximately $6,000.

Altogether, he raised $30,000. Unfortunately, he has returned to Canada, so we are looking for a new Tom Lamont this year.'' Organisers are also appealing for more male walkers.

"More than half of the walkers are women, so we want to encourage more men to get involved,'' Mr. Rowlerson said. "If they think walking is `women's work,' they are really wrong, and we challenge them to prove that they can do it too.'' For further information on the walk telephone the End-to-End hot line at 297-9705.

Photos by David Skinner WARMING UP -- Before beginning the 26-mile trek from St. George's to Dockyard, End-to-End walkers go through a series of exercises to loosen up and get the muscles ready for the off. More than 800 walkers participated in last year's walk, and organisers hope for an even greater turn-out this year.

PAPER CHASE -- Volunteers join Mr. Paul Rowlerson, a founder of the End-to-End charity walk (back row left), and committee member Mr. Eugene Carmichael (directly in front of him), in preparing one of several mailings to participants. Almost a year of backroom work goes into the annual fund-raiser.