The P.A.L.S. 38th Annual Walk 2026 invites Bermudians and visitors to come together for a day of community, remembrance, and coastal walking in support of cancer care on the island. The official P.A.L.S. events calendar confirms that the P.A.L.S. 38th Annual Walk will take place on Sunday 22 February 2026 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. This long‑running charity walk raises vital funds for P.A.L.S., a Bermuda charity that has provided free home‑based nursing and support for cancer patients since 1980, allowing people to receive care in the comfort of their own homes.
Date, Organizer, and Purpose of the 38th Annual Walk
Confirmed 2026 Event Date
The P.A.L.S. website lists the walk clearly in its 2026 events:
- Event name: PALS 38th Annual Walk.
- Date: Sunday, February 22, 2026.
- Time: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Who P.A.L.S. Is and Why the Walk Matters
P.A.L.S. (originally Patients Assistance League and Service) was founded in 1980 to provide home care for cancer patients in Bermuda:
- The charity’s profile explains that P.A.L.S. nurses deliver services at no charge, and that patients also receive medical equipment and supplies as needed.
- P.A.L.S. is a registered Bermuda charity (#171) and operates independently of the hospital and government, while working closely with them to enhance patient care.
The P.A.L.S. Walk is the organization’s signature fundraiser:
- A 2015 article about the 27th Annual P.A.L.S. Walk calls it the “key annual fundraiser” for P.A.L.S., with funds directed to medical care, equipment, and supplies for cancer patients who need support.
- P.A.L.S. notes on its site that the P.A.L.S. Walk has won a Best of Bermuda Award for Best Charity Event, highlighting how beloved it is within the community.
By joining the P.A.L.S. 38th Annual Walk 2026, participants help sustain this island‑wide cancer care network.
How the P.A.L.S. Walk Typically Works
Traditional Route and Format
Earlier editions of the walk used a long, point‑to‑point route:
- For the 27th Annual Walk, P.A.L.S. President Ann Smith Gordon recalled that the event began as a sponsored walk from Dockyard to Albuoy’s Point in Hamilton, mostly along the Railway Trail, totaling 15 miles.
- Participants took a free ferry from Hamilton to Dockyard at 7:00 am, then walked back along the island’s spine, receiving a certificate of participation at the finish.
Over the years, the format has evolved to include more flexible distances:
- Walking event calendars list “Pals Walk – 3k/5k/10k” in Paget Parish on February 23, 2025, indicating that the modern P.A.L.S. Annual Walk offers shorter loop or out‑and‑back options, making it accessible to a wider age and fitness range.
- During the pandemic, P.A.L.S. promoted “Walk Any Time, Any Place” versions of the Annual Walk, where participants recorded steps over a designated week in late February and could win prizes such as a Garmin, showing that hybrid or flexible participation models are also part of the event’s DNA.
For the 38th Annual Walk in 2026, walkers can expect:
- A main in‑person route (or routes) announced closer to the date.
- Multiple distance options, likely around 3 km, 5 km, and 10 km, based on the 2025 pattern.
- The option to participate individually or as part of a team, with fundraising encouraged.
Registration, Fundraising, and Pricing
The 2015 event details provide a useful template for how P.A.L.S. manages registration and fundraising:
- Participants could register online at pals.bm by selecting the Sponsored Walk donation option, collect forms at local shops, and pick up kits at the P.A.L.S. office in Paget.
- The walk did not offer same‑day registration, with a clear cut‑off date in late February.
While the 2026 page does not yet list pricing, typical P.A.L.S. Walk structures have included:
- A registration fee or minimum donation, sometimes tiered for adults and children.
- The ability to raise additional funds via sponsorship forms or online fundraising pages.
As the date approaches, walkers should:
- Visit pals.bm and look under Events for PALS 38th Annual Walk to see the 2026 registration link.
- Check whether there is an early‑bird rate, team registration option, or corporate challenge category.
Because the P.A.L.S. Walk is the charity’s “major fundraising event of the year,” P.A.L.S. encourages participants to maximize pledges and donations beyond the basic entry.
The Cause: Home‑Based Cancer Care in Bermuda
The impact of the walk reaches far beyond one February Sunday:
- P.A.L.S. provides home nursing, counseling, medical equipment, and supplies to cancer patients across Bermuda, helping them remain at home rather than being hospitalized.
- Services are free, funded through donations, fundraising events, and initiatives like the P.A.L.S. Thrift Shop and Holiday Fair.
- P.A.L.S. emphasizes that it is “delivering on its mission of providing cancer patients (and their families) with quality care, support and assistance” and marked its 45th anniversary in 2025, underscoring a decades‑long commitment to the island.
By signing up for the P.A.L.S. 38th Annual Walk 2026, participants support:
- Home visits from specialized nurses.
- Equipment such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, and oxygen machines.
- Emotional and practical support for patients and families navigating a cancer diagnosis.
What to Expect on Walk Day in 2026
While final route details for 2026 are to be confirmed, the P.A.L.S. Walk experience typically includes:
- Morning start:
- Check‑in and warm‑up in the early hours, with the main walk start in the morning to take advantage of cooler temperatures.
- Family‑friendly atmosphere:
- Past reports highlight that the walk has welcomed “thousands of people, young and old, including babies in prams and even dogs,” making it a true community event.
- Scenic island views:
- Historically, routes have used the Railway Trail and coastal roads, offering views across the Great Sound, Hamilton Harbour, and South Shore.
- The recent multi‑distance format around Paget and central parishes suggests a mix of water views and leafy neighborhood lanes.
- Support and safety:
- Water stops, volunteers, signage, and route marshals help keep walkers on track and hydrated.
- The walk proceeds in light rain but may adjust timing for high seas or serious weather, as noted in earlier editions that depended on ferry access.
Travel and Local Tips for Joining the Walk
Where the Walk Fits on the Bermuda Calendar
- The P.A.L.S. Annual Walk usually takes place in late February, which is part of Bermuda’s cooler, drier season.
- In 2026, Sunday 22 February falls a few weeks after the January Chubb Bermuda Triangle Challenge and other road events, giving runners and walkers another chance to support a cause while enjoying the island.
Choosing a Place to Stay
Walkers traveling from overseas can base themselves near likely route areas:
- Paget / Warwick / Hamilton area:
- Past walks and recent multi‑distance versions have been associated with Paget Parish and central Bermuda, making this area a good bet for quick access.
- The P.A.L.S. office is located at 18 Point Finger Road, Paget, putting the charity’s hub in this parish.
From these parishes you can easily:
- Reach the start point by taxi or bus.
- Explore nearby Railway Trail sections, Hamilton’s waterfront, and south‑shore beaches on the same trip.
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes suitable for several kilometres on mixed surfaces.
- Lightweight, breathable clothing and layers in case of breeze or drizzle.
- A refillable water bottle, sun protection, and perhaps a small daypack.
If walking in a team, consider coordinated shirts or colors to celebrate your group and bring attention to the cause.
Why P.A.L.S. 38th Annual Walk 2026 Belongs on Your Island To‑Do List
The P.A.L.S. 38th Annual Walk 2026 is more than a fundraising event. It is a moment when Bermuda’s community steps out together along trails and roads to honor loved ones, support neighbors facing cancer, and help keep a vital home‑care service strong. Walking past turquoise water, hibiscus hedges, and pastel houses, you feel both the beauty of the island and the strength of the people who live there.
If your 2026 plans include Bermuda, consider arriving in time for Sunday 22 February 2026. Register through pals.bm, set a fundraising goal that feels meaningful to you, and invite friends, family, or colleagues to join your team.
When you cross the finish line of the P.A.L.S. 38th Annual Walk 2026, surrounded by volunteers, families, and survivors, you will know that every step has helped bring comfort and care to cancer patients across the island.
Verified Information at glance
Event Category: Charity walk / Community fundraising event / Cancer care walk
Event Name: P.A.L.S. 38th Annual Walk
Island / Location: Bermuda (routes typically in central parishes such as Paget and along Railway Trail / coastal corridors)
Confirmed 2026 Date and Time:
- P.A.L.S. events listing: “PALS 38th Annual Walk – February 22, 2026 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm”.
- The same date and timing appear across multiple P.A.L.S. event views, marked “Hold the Date”.
Organizer and Mission:
- Organizer: P.A.L.S. (Home Care for Cancer Patients in Bermuda), a registered charity #171.
- P.A.L.S. provides free home‑based nursing, medical equipment, and supplies for cancer patients so they can remain in their homes, working alongside but independent from hospitals and government.
- P.A.L.S. notes in its news updates that it is celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2025 and that the P.A.L.S. Walk has been recognized with Best of Bermuda Awards, including “Best Charity Event”.
Historical Route and Format:
- 27th Annual Walk description:
- Sponsored walk “from the Dockyard to Albuoy’s Point” in Hamilton, mostly along the Railway Trail, total distance 15 miles.
- Free ferry from Hamilton Ferry Terminal to Dockyard at 7:00 am, walk start at 7:30 am, certificate of participation at Albuoy’s Point.
Recent Multi‑distance Options:
- Ahotu walking calendar lists “Pals Walk – 3k/5k/10k. Paget Parish, Bermuda. 23 Feb, 2025 (Sun)”, indicating that recent P.A.L.S. Annual Walks include shorter routes and loop formats in Paget.
Fundraising Role:
- Bernews article: The P.A.L.S. Walk is described as the organization’s “key annual fundraiser”, with funds supporting medical care, equipment, and supplies for cancer patients in need.
- Participants can register online via pals.bm under “Sponsored Walk” options, pick up forms, and collect kits from the P.A.L.S. office on Point Finger Road.
Virtual / Flexible Participation:
- P.A.L.S. social post from 2022: Promotes the Annual Walk as “Walk Any Time, Any Place the week of February 20–27 and record your steps to win a free Garmin,” showing that hybrid or virtual participation formats have been offered.
P.A.L.S. Organization Details:
- Address: 18 Point Finger Rd, Paget Parish, Bermuda, DV 04.
- Services: Home nursing, medical equipment loans, cooperation with Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre and Friends of Hospice as listed in P.A.L.S. resources.
