Residents were invited to dine first before coming out for dessert, plus dance, as two allied health charities plan a “party with a purpose” this month.

For the Bermuda Red Cross, the event marks a 75th birthday, while Pals Cancer Care gets to celebrate 45 years in action — all the more special because its 40th anniversary celebrations five years ago were scuppered by the outbreak of Covid-19.

“We figured, let’s look at it as a birthday,” said Colleen English DeGrilla, the executive director of Pals.

“Let’s not do a whole dinner. We’ll do desserts, we’re encouraging people to come out and eat dinner on Front Street.

“We’ve got lots of restaurants donating desserts, music with DJ Allstar, dancing — we wanted it to really be a party to celebrate with people.

“If they want to give us a birthday present on the day, that’s great.”

Red Cross executive director Ann Spencer-Arscott said the bash planned for Pier 6 on Front Street for the night of September 26 marked a “unique collaboration” between organisations with more in common than many realised.

She said that by celebrating a collective 120 years’ service together, the two stood better chances of raising much needed funds for their work across the island.

Ms Spencer-Arscott said: “We were in a fundraising meeting near the end of last year for the Bermuda chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals — I had this thought of a gala, so I reached out to Colleen about combining it for two charities that have done such amazing work for the community.”

The Bermuda Red Cross casts a broad net on the island and internationally, with services including disaster management, medical equipment rentals, health courses, a thrift shop and free transport for seniors.

Pals, which started out in 1980 as Patients Assistance League and Service, provides cancer nursing and volunteer services for cancer patients at any stage of illness, beginning with diagnosis.

The charity cares for patients until they are either discharged from its service or up to the end of life.

Both groups cross over on services such as helping seniors, providing medical equipment and raising funds through thrift stores.

Tickets runs from 8.30pm to midnight, are vending via Ptix at $150 a pop to support vital work for a sector strained by a variety of factors.

Ms English DeGrilla said: “I think it’s worldwide for non-profits, and the causes people support can change.

“Mental health has stood out as a major cause, ever since Covid; a lot of people are supporting it.”

Ms Spencer-Arscott added: “At the AFP meetings, we’re all very honest and open about our respective organisations, and I think everyone’s finding it a bit tough.

“At the moment we’ve also got some companies waiting on the corporate tax to see what’s going to happen.

“We haven’t restricted where we’d like to see the funding go, but there are so many different elements to each of our services that can always benefit.”