The AXA End-to-End charity walk will feature an all-new event this year, and make a bigger cash donation to a school.

This year’s event will feature an End-to-Middle walk from St George’s to Hamilton in addition to the End-to-End and Middle-to-End, both of which end in Dockyard.

Anne Mello, the E2E chairwoman said a $13,500 donation will be made to one of the island’s schools after a $10,000 donation from professional services firm Deloitte.

Ms Mello said: “We have always had a school programme. Last year, we were able to give $3,500.

“This year, thanks to a generous addition from Deloitte, we will be able to give the winning school $13,500, which is huge.

“It is really significant. Schools have told us over the years that they really need money to fund all sorts of programmes.”

Anna Burns, the audit and assurance partner at Deloitte, said: “We are delighted to donate to the End-to-End student fundraising prize.

“This sponsorship provides us with the opportunity to support one of Deloitte’s four corporate social responsibility pillars — children.

“As we continue our role as platinum sponsor for the second year, we are excited to collaborate with the End-to-End in a new capacity, by pledging $10,000.”

The school donation will be in addition to the event’s fundraising for charities, which this year includes the Bermuda Zoological Society, Vision Bermuda, the Garden Club of Bermuda and Family Centre, who were selected out of “dozens” of applications.

Mandy Shailer, the E2E deputy chairwoman, said: “This gives you the option to finish in town. We appreciate that the Middle-to-End starts later in the day and it’s hotter, so some people want to start the day earlier.

“For the End-to-Middle, we are inviting people to start the day in St George’s at 7am and finish off at Barr’s Bay Park.

“From there, you can jump on a ferry to Dockyard, you will have an event number which allows you to jump on any public transport, if you want to check out the main finish line.”

Ms Mello said the End-to-End’s popularity had mushroomed in the 33 years since the event started as a bet between friends.

She added: “Through the 33 events, we have now brought in over $7.5 million, had 49,000 participants and given 211 grants to charities.

“Not only have we grown in numbers, but also in donation dollars.”

Ms Shailer said the organisers expected another successful event, and appealed for volunteers to take part.

She said: “We look forward to seeing thousands of Bermudians walking, cycling, rowing and swimming from one end of the island to the other.

“We are aiming to make it one of the best years in End-to-End history.”

• The walk will take place on May 2. For more information, visit www.bermudaendtoend.bm