A charity walk next month will feature a parallel virtual event to help fight one of the island’s major chronic illnesses.

Hamilton Rotary Club highlighted the “staggeringly high” cost of end stage kidney disease in Bermuda.

The club appealed for sponsors for the event, the fourth of its kind, to start at 9am on November 13 in the Botanical Gardens in Paget.

The walk/run will also be held on a virtual basis from November 12 until November 14.

The club said it wanted to build on the success of last year’s 5km walk, despite the pandemic, to help fund the Healthy Bermuda Project.

The club said it aimed to support ten young people with diabetes mellitus – seven more than last year.

The incidence of kidney disease has rocketed from 64 people in 2002 with end stage renal disease to more than 200 at present.

Bermuda spends more than $40 million a year on the condition.

The event was also designed to highlight the importance of fitness and health.

Donations can be made to Hamilton Rotary Club’s Butterfield Bank a/c 20006060378871100.

Companies who sign up to support the fundraise will get their name and logo featured on promotions for the run.

Details on registration and the virtual event can be found here.