Family and friends of the late Bernardo “Bernie” Cabrera raised $10,000 on the golf course for cancer charity Pals last weekend.

Cabrera’s son Josh brought together about 30 people at Turtle Hill Golf Course to remember his father on the tenth anniversary of his death at the age of 55.

Bernie had been diagnosed with gliosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer in 2011 and Pals was a crucial source of support during his and the family’s journey with illness.

“Pals was very supportive through my father’s illness, so I just thought it was very fitting at this time to get funds together and make a donation,” Josh Cabrera said.

“They do wonderful work in the community and have a large impact across the island. Pals give unconditional support without you even having to ask for it. As soon as you are discharged from the hospital they are already on the case, they know about you and if you need help they are more than willing to give it.

“I believe they are integral to our community and they have been helping people for 45 years, so it was a no-brainer for me to support them. All through the journey and afterwards they are very supportive and it’s very important to help an organisation like Pals for the future of our Island.”

Some of the Cabreras’ happiest memories came on the golf course and son Josh could think of no better place to honour his dad than with 18 holes.

“He was an avid golfer and so am I, so I thought it was fitting to get on the golf course with friends and family,” Josh said

“He was very much into golf but only learnt how to play it after coming to Bermuda back in the early 1980s.

“He was about 22 when he came so spent most of his life in Bermuda. He was an electrical engineer and he had his own company called Island Electric. Whenever he could, he encouraged me to play a lot of golf and the course was such a happy place for us both.”