Durban, KZN – Registration is now open for the third annual Durban #HatsOn4CPC Fun Walk, taking place on Sunday, 11 October 2026, along Durban’s beachfront promenade. The 5 km family-friendly walk invites individuals, families, schools, businesses and community groups to wear their most creative hats in support of children living with life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses.
Hosted by Palliative Care for Children South Africa (PatchSA) in partnership with Umduduzi Hospice Care for Children, the walk forms part of the global #HatsOn4CPC campaign and will take place along Durban’s iconic beachfront promenade.
Marked each year on the second Friday in October, #HatsOn4CPC raises awareness that every child with a serious illness has the right to quality palliative care that relieves pain, eases suffering and improves quality of life. This year’s global awareness day falls on Friday, 9 October, two days before the Durban Fun Walk.
The event also draws attention to a major gap in care for South African children and families. Across South Africa, over 300 000 children live with serious life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses requiring specialised palliative care, yet PatchSA estimates that only about 5% can access the care they need. For many children, this means preventable pain and distressing symptoms; for families, it means facing serious illness without the support that can help from diagnosis onward.
“Children’s palliative care is about helping children live as well as possible for as long as possible,” says Dr Julia Ambler, Medical Director and co-founder of Umduduzi. “It is not only for end-of-life care. It can and should be provided alongside treatment aimed at cure, supporting children and families from the time of diagnosis or recognition that the condition is life-threatening or life-limiting.”
The Durban #HatsOn4CPC Fun Walk gives the public a joyful, family-friendly way to stand with children who need palliative care, while learning more about the support that can help them live as well as possible.
Participants are encouraged to wear their brightest, funniest or most imaginative hats, with spot prizes awarded after the walk for the most impressive creations. Only registered participants will be eligible for prizes.
The event is designed for all ages. Babies in strollers, young children and even well-behaved pets on a leash are welcome to take part.
Event Details
Date: Sunday, 11 October 2026
Time: Arrival from 7:00 am; walk starts at 8:00 am; event concludes at approximately 11:00 am.
Venue:
The Amphitheatre, North Beach Promenade, opposite the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel, Durban.
Route:
Participants will walk north along the beachfront promenade towards the Moses Mabhida Stadium before returning to the Amphitheatre.
Registration
Register online at https://patchsa.org/durban-hatson4cpc-fun-walk/
Adults: R100 Children (4–12 years): R50
Children 3 years and under join for free.
From sunhats and sports caps to fascinators, bucket hats and handmade creations, every hat helps start conversations about the compassionate support every seriously ill child deserves.
Early registration is encouraged, with all proceeds supporting awareness of children’s palliative care and the work of PatchSA and Umduduzi Hospice Care for Children.
Put on your brightest hat, bring your family and friends, and join Durban in standing with children who need palliative care.
What is Children’s palliative care?
Palliative care for children is the coordinated response to the medical, social, emotional, and spiritual suffering of children with life-limiting conditions and their families. Those eligible for this specialised care include children with serious illnesses such as cancers and other non-communicable illnesses that are life-threatening, children with certain congenital and genetic conditions, children living with HIV and AIDS, and children living with rare diseases for which there may be no name and no known cure.
Care can, and should, be provided from the time of diagnosis or soon after. It addresses not only physical distress but also emotional and social issues that often accompany such a diagnosis. It aims to provide the child and family with a support system, allowing them the best possible quality of life for as long as possible.
Palliative Care for Children South Africa (PatchSA)
Palliative Care for Children South Africa (PatchSA) is a national network of organisations and individuals focusing on support for the provision of palliative care to an estimated 800,000 – 1,000,000 children living in South Africa with serious life-limiting or life-threatening illness or conditions, and their families.
Support is offered through the provision of relevant and culturally appropriate resources, advocating for the right of children to receive quality palliative care as an element of Universal Health Care, and being a trusted source for information and referrals. An important aspect of the work of PatchSA is the provision of accessible online education to healthcare providers on the key elements and principles of children’s palliative care through Patch Academy https://academy.patchsa.org/ . Learn more about PatchSA at http://www.patchsa.org
Umduduzi Hospice Care for Children
Umduduzi Hospice Care for Children brings compassion, dignity, relevant care and relief from discomfort and pain to children diagnosed with a life-threatening or life-limiting illness within KZN. This is done through direct patient care, mentorship, empowerment of caregivers, training and advocacy. Please find out more on the Umduduzi website at https://www.umduduzi.co.za/
Why do we need the HatsOn4CPC campaign?
There are still far too many children that are unable to access this essential service, especially in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). We cannot achieve universal health coverage without palliative care, which is also a key component of the right to health and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal for good health and well-being.
What is HATS ON for CPC?
The second Friday in October, which this year falls on Friday 9 October 2026, is a day for raising international awareness of the need for children’s palliative care and the work of children’s palliative care (CPC) services worldwide. The annual campaign is known as Hats On for Children’s Palliative Care with the hashtag #HatsOn4CPC. The day was initiated by the International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN) in 2014.
Learn more at https://patchsa.org/hats-on-4-childrens-palliative-care-day/
Should you wish to learn more, please contact us.
Sue Boucher
Programme & Communications Manager PatchSA
Email: [email protected]
Cell: 0823744632
Dr Julia Ambler
Medical Director & Co-Founder
Umduduzi Hospice Care for Children
Email: [email protected]
Cell: 076 417 8977
Dr Samantha Govender
Board Chair (PatchSA)
Email: [email protected]
Cell: 072 596 2221
