Imagine doing ten hour walks once a week in the blistering Bermuda summer heat.Then imagine setting off this morning and walking non- stop for a full day, up and down the island.It may sound crazy but former Bermuda Regiment Sergeant Major Marilyn Steede is doing just that for the tenth year in a row.Ms Steede has raised more than $100,000 for charity through her annual walkathons, and this year is doing it an aid of Age Concern.She explained: “I read an article that appeared in The Royal Gazette on March 6, citing the predicament of vast numbers of Bermuda’s senior citizens who find themselves forced with the harrowing decision of having to choose between food, medication or electricity — the basic survival elements of life. I had no hesitation in knowing that my personal contribution to this dilemma is my desire to once again attempt to undertake the feat of walking continuously for 24 hours.”Although she does not want to divulge her exact age, she added: “I’m really a believer that age is just a number. I’m almost a senior citizen and I’m doing this.”She trained for her epic walk throughout Bermuda’s long hot summer.“I do no less than ten hours and add one hour each time I go out,” explained Ms Steede, who sets off on her training walks once a week as well as playing tennis, doing aerobics and jogging.“I never do 24 hours but I train by walking for up to 19 hours. When I do it, people are always looking out for me and calling my name and shouting ‘you go girl’.”When she sets off from the Age Concern headquarters on Point Finger Road at 8am today, she will be accompanied by a backup driver to offer protection and carry her refreshments and first aid kit. The drivers — may of whom are elderly volunteers with Age Concern — will work shifts to ensure she is never alone.“I always feel sleepy at the end but I have been lucky and have never had any blisters,” explained Ms Steede. “My body doesn’t hurt but as soon as I stop walking it seizes up. That’s why I don’t stop during the whole walk and I don’t change my socks because if I take off my shoes then I can’t get them back on.“I don’t have any flat shoes so the next day I will be wearing my heels!”Her route will take her along South Shore to St George’s, around the forts, back along North Shore to Admiralty House, along Pitts Bay Road to Front Street, then over Trimingham Hill to the South Shore and onwards to Dockyard. She expects to complete the route between four and five times over the 24 hours more than 100 miles.While Ms Steede would love people to join her on her walk, especially to keep her spirits up towards the end, she cautioned that she does not have extra refreshments and the group must be kept to no more than four.Anyone interested in supporting her along the route or helping out as a backup driver should call her on 505-3977.Donations can be made along the route, although Ms Steede stressed that she will not be carrying any cash, which will be given to helpers for safety reasons. Donations can also be made:l Via cheques made payable to Age Concern c/o 24-Hours Walk-A-Thon, PO Box SN614, Southampton, SN BXl Online deposits to Bank of Butterfield account number 20 006 060 487891 100. Please enter ‘24- Hours Walk-a-thon’ in the comments section or paying in slipl Via pledge sheets available from Ms Steede or Age Concern on 238-7525.