Charities and sponsors alike came together for a reception at The Hamilton Princess Hotel & Beach Club last night ahead of this year’s End-to-End event.

“It’s a once-a-year gathering that lets us say thank you to the people who are really important to the event, who support us, and help us put this major endeavour on each year,” Anne Mello, event chairwoman, said.

This year’s fundraising event begins at 7am on Saturday, May 6, with money raised going towards four selected charities; the Adult Education School, Age Concern, Greenrock, and Raleigh.

“We’ve decided this year, because it is our 30th anniversary, we would give an extra grant of $30,000, and we would allow our participants to vote for one of four charities for that grant,” Ms Mello said.

This year’s special anniversary award charities are the Bermuda Society for the Blind, Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and YouthNet.

“When it first began, it was a grassroots effort,” Ms Mello said of the event’s humble beginnings.

“It was three fellows challenging their friend to see if they could walk from one end of the island to the other, which at the time was quite unusual.”

Since its inception, the event has provided more than $5 million to charities through 190 grants.

Participants collect pledges and pick which discipline they want to compete in — walking, cycling, swimming, rowing, or paddle boarding.

Different course distances are also offered.

“In the end, the great thing is that, because of all their endeavours, the charities get the benefit, Bermuda benefits, and then we all benefit,” Ms Mello said.

“So it’s kind of a circular thing.”

• For more information, call 292-6992 or visit www.bermudaendtoend.bm