Deputy Governor David Arkley had a particularly hectic schedule yesterday morning.

For after getting married to his bride Beth Castagna, the newlyweds headed straight to the offices of the Center Against Abuse charity to make “a kind and meaningful” donation.

The donation comes from the proceeds of the newlyweds’ ‘Side to Side’ fundraising walk, held on October 13, in honour of the Deputy Governor’s first wife, Melissa, who died shortly after arriving in Bermuda, according to the Centre Against Abuse (CAA).

“CAA have worked with David in the past to do a fundraiser but we were never able to bring anything to fruition due to schedule conflicts,” said director Laurie Shiell.

“This past month, during domestic abuse awareness month, David and his fiance Beth decided to honour Melissa’s desire to do something for CAA by hosting the Side to Side.”

Now, said Ms Shiell, the CAA will be hosting the ‘Arkley Side to Side’ walk annually in honour of Melissa Arkley.

“When I first met David, I mentioned that I really wanted to do the End to End walk as Bermuda is one of the very few countries where you can actually say you’ve walked across it,” said Mrs Castagna.

“But it is still a daunting task and we’re busy people.

“David looked at me as if I were a bit slow and foolish. He asked, ‘Why do the End to End when you could do the Side to Side?’ The complete brilliance of that sentiment was unarguable and still cracks me up every time we consider it.”

Mr Arkley and his wife will be leaving Bermuda next month.

“The Centre Against Abuse want to thank David and Beth for this kind and meaningful donation,” said Ms Shiell.

“We are sad that he is leaving the Island, but we wish him and his new bride Beth all he best with their next venture.”