Support Algernon Gunny George Walk
Health Minister Hon Wheatley is urging residents to join the annual ‘Big Walk’, renamed in honour of Algernon ‘Gunny’ George, which will start at Gunny’s Bar in North Sound and finish at the Ciboney Centre for Excellence. The minister said the walk celebrates community spirit in the Ninth District and forms part of efforts to promote exercise during Diabetes Awareness Month.
Health Minister Hon Wheatley is calling on residents to take part in the annual community walk now renamed the Algernon ‘Gunny’ George Memorial Walk, saying the event honours a man who represented the Ninth District’s spirit of togetherness. “We do it once a year, I call it the Big Walk, it was renamed in honour of Algernon, who [had] the bar at the starting point in North Sound,” Hon Wheatley told Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
The walk will begin at Gunny’s Bar in North Sound and end at the Ciboney Centre for Excellence. The minister emphasised that the event is for everyone, whether they knew Mr George personally or not. “Just come out and join us,” he said, urging broad community participation to celebrate Mr George’s commitment to community resilience and neighbourliness in the Ninth District.
Wheatley also framed the walk within his work as Minister for Health. He said the event supports a wider push to encourage physical activity and combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes — a particular focus this month as the territory observes Diabetes Awareness Month.
The minister described regular exercise as key to reducing risk factors that affect many families across the British Virgin Islands. For many residents the “Big Walk” is both a social and civic tradition: a chance to reconnect with neighbours, honour a well-known local figure and reinforce healthy habits.
The route between North Sound and the Ciboney Centre for Excellence provides a visible reminder that community spaces and local businesses are central to district life. Organisers are encouraging participants to arrive early, wear comfortable footwear and sun protection, and bring water.
While specific start times and registration details were not provided in the initial release, those interested are advised to monitor official channels and local community notices for updates. By combining remembrance with health promotion, the Algernon ‘Gunny’ George Memorial Walk offers residents a simple, tangible way to honour a local leader while taking steps to improve their personal well-being.
The minister’s appeal is straightforward: join the walk, support your community, and take part in efforts to make healthier living a shared priority for the territory. (Report based on comments to Virgin Islands News Online.)
Primary source: VINO