19 June 2026

A tribute to Alex Miles: “Pilgrims go above and beyond”

Alex Miles from Folkestone was a family man; a devoted husband to Ruth and father to Millie, Jake, Mason, Layla and Bailey, he served as a sergeant in Kent Police and played football for Folkestone Invicta FC.

In 2019, Alex, then aged 44, was diagnosed with lung cancer, which had spread to his bones. He began treatment and, with his condition managed, was able to live relatively well and even continue working.

But in 2024, Alex suffered two strokes, after which he was admitted to Pilgrims Hospices for end-of-life care.

Alex died at the Ashford hospice in September 2024, aged 49.

**Alex and Ruth with family on their wedding day**

Ruth shares how Pilgrims helped their family to make the most of their precious final moments with Alex, and supported them in their grief after his death:

“Alex was transferred from hospital; after the second stroke, he wasn’t really conscious, but Pilgrims made him comfortable – it was noticeable as soon as he got to the hospice.

“As a family, we had such a positive experience of Pilgrims’ care. Alex was only in the hospice for a few days, and although it was never going to be easy, it was as comforting as it could possibly have been. We had a family room, so a few of us could sleep in there with Alex. Friends and family could visit any time to say their goodbyes.

“I was breastfeeding our youngest child, Bailey, who was just five months old at the time. The kind nurses and staff were so supportive – they made us countless cups of tea and toast, took Bailey for walks and played with him to give us a break, answered our questions, held our hands and simply listened. They even shared their own stories with us; we learned that so many of them have personal experiences of hospice care, which is what inspired them to work for Pilgrims. They did all this whilst keeping Alex comfortable; they really do go above and beyond.”

“After Alex died, myself and one of Alex’s older children were offered bereavement counselling; we really appreciated that continuity of care. I also had massages from the complementary therapy team, which were lovely.

“I can’t fault Pilgrims, they’re fantastic.”

In April 2025, Alex’s family launched the inaugural Miles Memorial Cup – a football match in honour of Alex to celebrate his life, which they plan to make an annual event. On 18 April 2026, the match was held in aid of Pilgrims, raising £4,000 for local hospice care.

Ruth said:

“We wanted to give back to those that helped us on Alex’s journey; Pilgrims were able to offer the specialist, compassionate care that Alex needed at the end of his life, when no one else could. If our fundraising helps just one other family to have that same support and peace, it will mean so much to us. We’re lucky to have such brilliant hospice care in the UK, but it is only available thanks to peoples’ generous support and donations – that’s why it’s so important for us to fundraise for Pilgrims.

“Any opportunity to talk about Alex and have other people remember him, I’ll take it, because he deserves that. It’s very comforting for me. Although Alex’s life was cut short, this is how we can keep his memory alive.”