The date has been set for next year’s Bermuda End-to-End when the fundraising event will celebrate its 20th anniversary.

People from all over the Island will step out on May 5, 2007 to walk the traditional 40km route from St. George’s to Dockyard, with others covering the distance on bikes, boats and horseback.

Yesterday, the organising committee announced its two key sponsors for next year — M3 Wireless and the Bank of Bermuda Foundation — and paid tribute to three volunteers who have helped make the event a success over the years.

Valerie Dill, Ian Boatman and Brian Hall were handed trophies and made Honorary End-to-Enders at a press conference at Albuoy’s Point in Hamilton. They are the first recipients to receive the honour.

Committee board chairman Anne Mello said all three had given significant support to the cause. “As Bermuda’s leading charity which supports other charities, we rely on the dedicated participants who take part in the event, as well as those who stay in the background, giving their time, organisational skills and financial backing to ensure its success,” she said.

Mr. Hall — described yesterday as the “Godfather of the End-to-End” — is the former president of insurance brokerage company Johnson & Higgins. Ms Mello explained that it was three Johnson & Higgins workers who began the End-to-End after challenging each other to walk the length of Bermuda in 1987.

She said Mr. Hall had given them his full support and encouraged other staff to get involved.

Ms Dill has worked on the End-to-End committee for ten years and Mr. Boatman has served as chief marshall.

This year’s End-to-End attracted more than 2,000 participants, 500 volunteers and raised about $215,000 for Island charities.

Ms Mello said the corporate sponsors paid for the costs of the event, enabling all the pledges made by participants to be dished out to deserving causes.

Next year’s event will focus on organisations promoting wellness.

Two workshops are taking place in partnership with the Centre on Philanthropy on Tuesday for registered charities who want to benefit from next year’s End-to-End.

They will be in the board room at Charities House, 25 Point Finger Road, Paget, from noon until 1.30 p.m. and from 5.30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

To book a place email lindell[AT]centreonphilanthropy.org or call 236-7706.

Applications for potential recipients can be found at www.centreonphilanthropy.org or www.bermudaendtoend.bm.