Marilyn Steede is revving to go for another 24-hour charity walk around the Island.

This year the avid walker will be raising money for Age Concern, as she feels there are so many pressing issues facing the Island's elderly population,

Ms Steede, who is the only person to have completed the 24-hour stint, will be setting off from Horseshoe Bay Beach gate tomorrow morning at 5 a.m. She will finish on Sunday at 6 a.m. (due to daylight savings time).

Ms Steede believes in getting an early start and has a warm up session at 4.30 a.m. for any one who is interested in joining her.

“If I successfully complete this 24-hour walk, I would have scored what is know as a hat-trick,” she said.

Choosing Age Concern as the recipient for donations was also an important step.

“I have been following the issues that are befalling our seniors collectively,” she said. “Therefore, I feel that all of us need to assist to implement initiatives for our present seniors so that the improvements will be in place when we, the younger community, become official senior citizens.

“At the end of the day, our senior citizens have and continue to be our leaders.”

To prepare for her annual feat, Ms Steede says she does nothing out of the ordinary.

“I don't have any particular schedule so to speak,” she said.

“I exercise everyday by walking, running or participating in aerobic dancing, but I do not schedule a walk.

“I might decide to go walking for an hour and find myself walking for several hours.”

Of her 24-hour walk, she said she only takes breaks when nature calls.

“24 hours is a very long time,” she said. “But, during the previous two walks, I took two toilet breaks.

“But I eat and drink while walking and this usually consists of water, juice, sandwiches, fruit and other snacks.”

Ms Steede wants to encourage anyone who wants to participate in future to do so, but she said registration had already closed for this year.

Shadow Minister for Health Michael Dunkley and Sharon DeSilva are the only registered walkers, she said.

“Let me take this opportunity to emphasise that this event is to attract walkers,” she said.

“There are several other walks through the year where one can walk and run to arrive at the finish line.

“This event does not have a finish line. The challenge is the timeline and the focused activity is to walk.

“Also, I have not obtained permission from the Police to have cyclists included in the event.”

When asked if she knew the total mileage of her walks, she said: “I don't really know.”

The event is being sponsored by Butterfield & Vallis for refreshments and Dunkley's Dairy for water. Ms Steede is paying for all other expenses.

She feels her slogan - “Strive to achieve goals beyond your natural ability, rather than setting goals that equal your proven ability” - is very encouraging.

“I plan to maintain this slogan as long as the event continues,” she said.

“I tried to think of something that would encourage people to step out of their comfort zone.”

Ms Steede believes in the 24-hour walk so much, that she herself is donating $10 for every hour she walks.

Those interested in T-Shirts can contact Ms Steede on 238-3358. Also cheques can be made payable to Age Concern, P.O. Box SN 614, Southampton SN BX.