The Axa End-to-End has been approved for later this month and organisers expect to raise more than $6 million.

Anne Mello, the chairwoman of the End-to-End Charitable Trust, said the organisers had been given a large group exemption to hold the fundraiser on October 23.

Ms Mello added: “We know that this support is crucial to many organisations which are so important to us and to our community and we could not have done it without the incredible participants in the annual event.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to announce that we are able to go ahead with this year’s event in a return to a more familiar format.”

Ms Mello said: “We recognise that we have an enormous responsibility to adhere to government precautions and ensure a successful and safe event and, as such, this year’s event will be a SafeKey event.”

A spokeswoman for the trust added that the cash raised would go towards Age Concern and to help the Ministry of Education buy Chromebook laptops for children in the public school system.

Carol Parker Trott, the communications and marketing director at Axa XL in Bermuda, said the company was happy to continue its sponsorship of the event.

She added: “In this case, it’s about supporting students in our public school system and seniors in our community who have been significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The exemption was granted on Thursday after discussions with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport and the Ministry of Health.

Ernest Peets, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, said he was pleased the event would go ahead and thanked the organisers for their efforts.

Dr Peets added: “The Government recognises the cultural importance of the Bermuda End-to-End Charitable Trust to our community, as well as the significant funds the event raises to contribute directly to Bermuda charities.

“I very much look forward to a safe, physically distanced SafeKey Axa End-to-End.”

Only people with a valid SafeKey will be allowed to take part in the event.

Numbers and registration bags can be collected from the End-to-End office in Washington Mall in Hamilton from October 19 to 22 from 9am to 5pm.

The End-to-End will start in King’s Square, St George.

People on foot will start at 7am and cyclists will begin at 9am.

The Middle-to-End will start at the Botanical Gardens at 8.30am for walkers and 9.30am for cyclists.

Several Covid-19 safe water stops will be set up along the route, with platinum sponsors Deloitte and Butterfield Bank among the groups to run water stations for participants.

The finish line will be at the Clocktower Mall in Dockyard with an MC and music, but no vendors or other festivities.

Hitch Bermuda, a taxi app, will be a sponsor and participants will be encouraged to sign up and use it to get a safe ride home.

This year’s event will also venture into online gaming, with teams competing in an Apex Legends tournament through a partnership with the Bermuda eSports League.

A notice in the Official Gazette yesterday said that the event exemption was for up to 1,640 people.

The exemption included a string of conditions, including one marshal for every 50 participants, the collection of contact tracing details and the use of SafeKey.

The 34-year-old event was held last year, but on a much-reduced scale.

John Johnston, CEO of Deloitte Bermuda, said the firm was proud to sponsor the event and demonstrate its commitment to making a positive impact.

He said: “Over the years, the End-to-End has chosen organisations that connect with Deloitte's Corporate Social Responsibility pillars of children, education, the elderly and the environment.

“This event brings out the very best of Bermuda, and Deloitte professionals enjoy putting their passion, commitment, and expertise to good use for the greater good."

Michael Neff, managing director at Butterfield Bank, said the bank was happy to support the End-to-End because it was one of the most significant community fundraisers on the Bermuda calender.

He said: “It has a hugely positive impact and, as an inclusive event that welcomes everyone to participate, we are pleased to be able to support.

“This year, the funds will help Bermuda’s senior population in addition to our young people through the chosen charities and I know our employees are looking forward to getting involved and volunteering their time to contribute to its success.”

To register for this year’s End-to-End, visit www.bermudaendtoend.bm.

For more information, contact the End to End hotline at 292 6991or the event manager at 335 4351.