Alexa melts our hearts with her incredible achievement that began in 2024
Alexa Bolger from Westgate-on-Sea has been raising funds for Pilgrims Hospices after loved ones and family friends received the charity’s kind and caring support.
During the school summer holidays, Alexa’s grandma, Betty (“Gan Gan”), gave her £10 pocket money, which she used to buy clay beads to make colourful bracelets. Alexa set up a little stall outside her home and sold her creations, raising an amazing £218 for Pilgrims in just five days – thanks to the kindness of passersby, neighbours and family who all stopped to support her.
Back in 2024, Alexa also took part in the Thanet 5k Colour Run at Palm Bay, Cliftonville, where she sold more bracelets and raised another £150. In total, Alexa and her family have contributed £100 to buy materials, and to date she has raised a fantastic £573.90 for local hospice care.
Now, we’re thrilled to share that Alexa has gone even further and smashed her fundraising target of £1,000, reaching an incredible total of £1,001 for Pilgrims Hospices!
Alexa said:
“I want to help people who are poorly and need Pilgrims’ care so they can be a little bit happier in the time they have left. I hope my fundraising helps to buy medicine for them and the care they need.”
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager, added:
“Alexa came to see us in August 2024 with a donation of £218 from her bracelet sales, which she raised by asking family, friends and neighbours for small donations to support our hospice services. Since then, she has taken her idea to school and continued to raise funds, including selling bracelets at last year’s Thanet 5k Colour Run, where she raised an additional £150 on the day.
“On 30 October 2025, I was absolutely delighted to announce that Alexa had reached her goal – and even gone past it!
“Alexa truly is a little superstar. To be just nine years old and so passionate about helping others is wonderful to see. Everyone at Pilgrims – along with her mum, Clare, her family, friends, and even her neighbours who’ve supported her every step of the way – are so proud of her amazing achievement.
“Thank you, Alexa, for my handmade Christmas cracker and charm – they were so thoughtful and will take pride of place on my Christmas tree this year! You always bring a smile to my face and melt my heart every time I see you.”
If you’ve been inspired by Alexa and would like to fundraise for Pilgrims in the Thanet area, we’d love to hear from you.
Please contact Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager:
