Mother and daughter team, Sandra and Carly Wright, are rising to the challenge for Pilgrims Hospices on Saturday 30th September for A Night to Shine in Canterbury.
Carly, 29, from Hawkinge explains: “I have decided to take part in this event to raise much needed and valued funds for the Pilgrims Hospices and as a personal challenge to complete my first 5k! I am on a journey of losing weight and I’m half a pound away from four stone now over the last year. This is my first real venture into anything active.
“Pilgrims Hospices is a charity very close to my heart, it is where my Grandad was due to be going, but he very sadly passed before this was possible. The service is provided free of charge and offers much needed peace of mind at times of such despair that I like to feel this is an extremely worthwhile cause to raise funds for. The donations I have received already attest to this. It is a charity much loved and supported all over our County and I regularly help out with collecting and marshaling events where possible to feel like I can be a part of keeping the Hospices open to help as many people as possible.”
Mum Sandra will be supporting Carly on the 5k walk in Canterbury. She added: “I lost both my parents to Cancer and although they didn’t have to chance to benefit from Pilgrims care, I see the work that the team at the hospice do and want to do all I can to support it.”
You can help Carly with fundraising by sponsoring her Just Giving page.
With walks happening simultaneously in Canterbury, Ashford and Broadstairs it really will be a night to shine in east Kent.
A Night to Shine is Pilgrims Hospices brand new sponsored 5k, 8k or 10k walk in Ashford, Broadstairs and Canterbury on Saturday 30 September 2017.
At each town walkers will enjoy music, a party atmosphere, energetic warm up and lots more, before setting off simultaneously into the evening at 7pm; amid a sea of lantern light. Your on the day £20 entry (£15 under 18’s) includes a t-shirt, lantern, medal and more.
You can find details on Pilgrims A Night To Shine fundraising walk here, or contact Pilgrims Hospices events team on 01227 782062 [email protected].
Each year Pilgrims supports hundreds of local people coping with a life limiting illness and their families. The charity offers a range of services: from end of life care given on its wards, to its new Wellbeing and Social Programme supporting people after they are diagnosed to live well and stay independent.
Local MP will shine for Pilgrims
Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield is taking part in Pilgrims Hospices brand new event, A Night to Shine on Saturday 30 September. Rosie will lead supporters as they start a 5km family friendly stroll under the stars, starting from Canterbury Christchurch University Sports Hall and meandering through parts of the beautiful city including Canterbury Cathedral grounds where people can take time to remember loved ones and leave a memory lantern.
Rosie told us: “I’m really excited to be leading the supporters of Pilgrims Hospices on A Night to Shine. I look forward to walking, sharing and celebrating with other walkers and all those who support the work of this marvellous charity. Please come and join us!”
I look forward to walking, sharing and celebrating with other walkers.
For the first time, the hospice walk brings together people from all across the east Kent community for one very special night. Sponsored walks will take place for Pilgrims Hospices in Ashford, Broadstairs and Canterbury simultaneously. All will enjoy music, a friendly party atmosphere, energetic warm up and lots more.
Rosie added: “Hospice care is there for the whole community. Pilgrims offers support to people from all walks of life, including younger families who may need support to live well when someone is diagnosed with an incurable illness. I think it’s important we come together to help make sure these services are there for the next family that needs them.”
Pilgrims hopes to make this the largest hospice walk across east Kent and to raise awareness and funds for hospice care so they can continue to be there for those who need help the most.
We want to say a huge ‘thank you’ to Rosie.
Deborah Kellond, Pilgrims Hospices Community Fundraising Manager said: “We want to say a huge ‘thank you’ to Rosie for being such a great supporter of our charity. We already have hundreds of supporters signed up for this new night time walk. Join us for the biggest night of the year and experience a walk to remember.”
You can sign up on the evening, so don’t miss out on this really important chance to support Pilgrims. Just come along the Canterbury Christchurch University Sports Hall at 6pm where you can register and collect a Night to Shine tshirt and lantern.
Deborah added: “There will be lots of glowing merchandise available to purchase to help you make the most of this very special evening. Whether you are walking for fun, fitness or in memory of a loved one, we would like to thank everyone for supporting Pilgrims.”
Each year Pilgrims supports over 2,300 local people coping with a life limiting illness and their families. The charity offers a range of services: from end of life care given on its wards, to its new Wellbeing and Social Programme supporting people after they are diagnosed to live well and stay independent.
20th September 2017
Day shines at night for Grandad
Care worker Kathryn Day, 25, from Westgate-on-Sea will take part in Pilgrims Hospices A Night to Shine walk on 30 September at Broadstairs Pavilion. She will walk to remember her grandad, Victor Day.
Birchington local Victor, who worked at Steelcase PLC in Margate for more than 40 years, was cared for by the team at Pilgrims Hospice Margate.
Kathryn explains: “Grandad was cared for on the ward for a while, then Pilgrims staff did everything they could to help him return home at the end of his life, as he had wanted. They supported us as a family, as well as Grandad, with visits from the nurses several times a day. We cannot thank them enough and wanted to raise as much money as we can to help others who might need their care.”
Kathryn will be joined by family and friends on the 8k route. To sponsor Kathryn in Victors’ memory, visit her JustGiving page.
A Night to Shine is Pilgrims brand new sponsored 5k, 8k or 10k walk in Ashford, Broadstairs and Canterbury. It will take place on Saturday 30 September 2017:
In each town walkers will enjoy music, a party atmosphere, an energetic warm up and lots more, before setting off simultaneously into the evening at 7pm amid a sea of lantern light.
There will also be a quiet pause during which supporters can remember loved ones. Everyone who takes part will receive a memory lantern with their registration pack. Whether you walk in memory of someone special or simply to show your support, lanterns can be personalised to bring along on the evening.
Standard entry is £15 (£12 under 18s) and includes a t-shirt, lantern, medal and more. Pre-event registration will close at midnight on 26 September. After that, you can register in person on the night for £20 for Adults and £15 under 18s. Under 3s go free no matter when you sign up. Register now or call 01227 782 062 to find out more.
The Day family photo: Back row – Reece Kallmeier, Alexandra Day, Donna Day, Kathryn Day, Charlotte Day, Travis Tarrant, Barry Elks and Stuart Day. Front row – Trevor Day, Willow Day, Frances Day and Kevin Day.
Every day in east Kent 19 people receive the news that they have an incurable illness and have less than a year to live; a number that is set to rise. We believe each one of them deserves quality care so that they, and their family, can live each and every moment they have well. If you or your family are experiencing Pilgrims care, find out about the support Pilgrims can offer through our Wellbeing and Social Programme.
19th September 2017
Kennington pupils look forward to A Night to Shine
The head teacher of Kennington CE Academy, Mrs Katie Wratten, was pleased to show her support for A Night to Shine, Pilgrims Hospices new night time walk. This week she showed some of her pupils where the walkers will be laying their lanterns in memory of loved ones in the Kennington Memorial Garden, right outside the school.
Mrs Wratten will take part in the walk, as will some of the pupils at her school. She explained why: “Last year a colleague of mine was cared for by Pilgrims Hospice Ashford after a very short illness. The support and care they gave to her and her family was absolutely fantastic.
“I want the children to understand the importance of supporting charities like Pilgrims, and hope to set an example by doing so myself.
“I am delighted that Olivia, Daisy and Lilly are taking part in the walk. We hope to encourage others to take part in the new 5k family walk that Pilgrims have introduced this year.”
Deirdre Mewse, Community Fundraising Officer said: “It was lovely to meet some of the pupils and talk briefly about the work of Pilgrims. For some, the walk will be the first time they have participated in something like this; although for Olivia this will be the third time she has taken part in a hospice walk!
“To have the support of the school has been fantastic, and we look forward to more families signing up to take part. It is really exciting to be introducing a family route alongside our traditional longer one. This year, the route is through an entirely different part of Ashford. We hope to see lots of people coming to remember their loved ones as they show support for Pilgrims.”
Standard entry is £15 (£12 under 18s) and includes a t-shirt, lantern, medal and more. Pre-event registration will close at midnight on 26 September. After that, you can register in person on the night for £20 for Adults and £15 under 18s. Under 3s go free no matter when you sign up. Register now, call 01227 782 062 or email [email protected] to find out more.
Pictured above – Connor, Daisy, Katie Wratten, Lily, Daniel and Olivia.
This year alone, Pilgrims has to raise £11 million through voluntary donations in order to run our full range of services. Sponsorship raised through events like these helps us to continue caring for local people at the end of their lives.
If you or your family are experiencing Pilgrims care, find out about the support Pilgrims can offer through our Wellbeing and Social Programme.
6th September 2017
Hospice team: “Let’s make A Night to Shine Kent’s biggest charity walk”
Pilgrims Hospices nurses and staff will join together as a team to lead the way for the charity’s brand new sponsored walk, A Night to Shine.
Workmates from Pilgrims Hospice Ashford will step out together for the twilight charity walk. It’s the first time Pilgrims will hold a sponsored walk simultaneously, on the same night, near its hometowns of Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet.
We hope it will encourage our fabulous community to join us on the night.
Alison Wiltshire, a Pilgrims Community Nurse, said: “Our supporters and volunteers work so hard to raise the funds we need to enable us to continue offering our services to those who need them. Taking part in A Night to Shine is a way for us to say thank you and show our appreciation. We hope it will encourage our fabulous local community to join us on the night. Together, we could make this Kent’s biggest charity walk.”
Whichever venue they choose, supporters can come together with friends, family and colleagues for a fun-packed evening. You can walk as a group or just join in; either way, you’ll receive a warm welcome and have fun whilst raising vital funds for hospice care.
In each town there’ll be music, a friendly party atmosphere, an energetic warm up and lots more. At 7pm, supporters will set off together into the evening amid a sea of lantern light. Glowing merchandise will be on sale to help make your experience truly shine!
There will also be a quiet pause, during which supporters can remember loved ones. Everyone who takes part will receive a memory lantern with their registration pack. Whether you walk in memory of someone special or simply to show your support, lanterns can be personalised to bring along on the evening.
Alison added: “Working at Pilgrims can be emotional at times, but this event is a nice chance for us to see families who we have supported over the years and catch up with them for a fun event. We’re really looking forward to it.”
There’s always something for everyone and a friendly party atmosphere.
Richard Davis, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Pilgrims, will also be there on the night: “As a Pilgrims Trustee I have been to many of our wonderful fundraising walks; there’s always something for everyone and a friendly party atmosphere.
“We hope this special night will bring the community together to raise vital funds and awareness for hospice care in east Kent.”
Every day in east Kent 19 people receive the news that they have an incurable illness and have less than a year to live; a number that is set to rise. We believe each one of them deserves quality care so that they, and their family, can live each and every moment they have well.
If you or your family are experiencing Pilgrims care, find out about the support we can offer through our Wellbeing and Social Programme.
A big challenge on three legs
Husband and wife duo Marilyn (Maz) and Gary Kirton will be walking and running on three legs around Ashford for Pilgrims Hospices, at the A Night to Shine family-friendly walk on the evening of Saturday 30 September.
The brand new Pilgrims event will take place simultaneously in Ashford, Broadstairs and Canterbury. In each town there will be music, a friendly atmosphere, an energetic warm up and lots more. The Ashford 5K or 10K walk sets off at 7pm from Julie Rose Stadium, Willesborough Road, Ashford amid a sea of lantern light.
Both Maz and Gary are staff at the Ashford hospice and are dedicated to raising money for Pilgrims whenever they can. So far this year they have raised more than £2,000 between them. They both ran the Canterbury Half Marathon, and Maz surpassed herself by taking part in a Pilgrims Firewalk in March and a parachute jump on 2 September.
We both felt compelled to start fundraising.
Gary explained: “After joining Maz working at Pilgrims back in 2011, we both felt compelled to start fundraising ourselves. Every day we meet so many people who are supported, both as patients and as families, and know how important the work done here is.”
At A Night to Shine there will be a chance to pause and place lanterns in the Kennington Memorial Gardens, creating a moving and magical sea of lantern light.
Sandie Gillett, Community Fundraising Officer at Pilgrims Hospice Ashford, said: “I am thrilled that Maz and Gary are supporting A Night to Shine. They are an amazing couple and are always working hard for us in fundraising.
We are really looking forward to welcoming as many supporters as possible.
“We are really looking forward to welcoming as many supporters as possible to our fantastic new event. Whether you wish to walk in memory of someone special or just be part of our amazing experience taking place across all three Pilgrims areas, your registration and sponsorship money will be helping patients and families who need our help the most.
“You can purchase glowing merchandise on the evening if you wish to make your experience an even brighter night to shine!
“We need to raise £11 million each year to keep providing end-of-life care free of charge to the people of east Kent. The support of people like Maz and Gary makes this possible.”
To register or find out more about this family-friendly event, click here, email [email protected] or call the Fundraising team on 01227 782 062.
Each year Pilgrims supports hundreds of local people living with a life limiting illness and their families. The charity offers a range of services: from end of life care given on its wards, to its new Wellbeing and Social Programme supporting people after they are diagnosed to live well and stay independent.
