After five years of fantastic fundraising success, Pilgrims Hospice Ashford staff members Gary and Maz Kirton announce their monthly hospice bingo night will move to a larger venue, accommodating ever-increasing interest in the event.
From Thursday 26 July and on the last Thursday of the month thereafter, bingo enthusiasts will be able to show their support for Pilgrims Hospices at the Homelands Stadium, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford TN26 1NJ.
Maintenance worker and loyal Pilgrims supporter Gary said, “It’s been a privilege to hold hospice bingo at our beloved Ashford hospice but the event is now so popular that the time has come for us to shout “Full House”. Our new venue at the Stadium can hold 200 people, meaning twice the number of people can join in. And the more people who play, the more we will raise for local hospice care. Many thanks to Denise Peach at the Stadium for giving us this great opportunity.”
Our new venue can hold 200 people, meaning twice the number of people can join in. And the more people who play, the more we will raise for local hospice care.
Gary Kirton, Maintenance Engineer at Pilgrims Hospices
Victoria Friar, Community Fundraising Manager at Pilgrims Hospice Ashford, added, “Gary and Maz have raised thousands of pounds over the years. In fact, their first event at the Stadium will take them over the £30,000 mark – that equates to more than two months of hospice care. For anyone who hasn’t yet attended this unforgettable event, this is the perfect chance to have a fun night out whilst showing your support for Pilgrims.”
Gary added, “Come and join us on 26 July from 6pm for eyes down at 7pm. We’ve already had a great response about the new venue and I know our regulars will join us in welcoming new people along. Our famous rollover will come with us and currently stands at £510.”
To book your table at hospice bingo call Gary on 07850 747 198.
If you or someone you know is coping with a life limiting illness and you think you may benefit from Pilgrims free services, talk to your GP or Healthcare Professional about your options or click here to read about our Wellbeing and Social Programme.
3rd July 2018
M&S Charity of the Year campaign raises vital cash for Pilgrims
Staff and customers at Marks & Spencer Canterbury Maybrook Simply Food have donated more than £11,500 to the Pilgrims Hospices charity this year. The fundraising and catering teams, along with some regular Pilgrims volunteers, visited the store to thank them for the amazing donation and for nominating them as Charity of the Year for 2017/18.
Alex Dobson, Marks & Spencer Operations Manager, said: “We support a local charity each year, our staff submit nominations and the most popular is selected.
“Our staff were very keen to support Pilgrims; many of our team have a personal connection to the hospice and value the services the charity offers.”
Pilgrims volunteers Elaine Newman, Dan Baker and Rose Link are regulars on in-store collection days. Elaine said: “We love this store and enjoy coming here on collection days. The staff are always friendly and welcoming and customers really appreciate the work we do.”
We love this store and enjoy coming here on collection days.
Elaine Newman, Pilgrims Volunteer
Lydia Todd, Community Fundraising Officer at Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury, said: “It’s such a huge fundraising total; we’re delighted that M&S has supported us this year. Not only with the in-store collections and additional till collections, but they also make an enormous contribution in food donations for our hospice kitchens.
Ian Ashton, Pilgrims Hospices Catering Manager, came along to thank Alex and his team and said: “The generous food donations allow my catering team to provide a wide variety of meals for patients, helping us to be flexible and meet individual needs in the most effective way.
“Our chiller van collects and delivers the gifted products to the hospice, where they can be frozen or stored and planned into menus.
“Pilgrims catering team work with tight budgets; the support from M&S helps us to provide perfect nutrition and variety for patients.
“The sweets, tins and flowers generously given are also used to support fundraising activities like our Vintage Tea and Fair that will take place in Westgate Gardens, Canterbury on Saturday 21 July.”
Pilgrims volunteer Elaine Newman, Debbie Newman from M&S cafe with Leila Ilkhan and Lydia Todd from Pilgrims Canterbury fundraising team
Lydia explained “With the generous support of the community and local businesses we can continue supporting the many patients, families and their friends who need our help in such difficult times.”
If you’d like to make a contribution or help to support local hospice care, Pilgrims would love to hear from you.
Pilgrims Hospices provides care from three hospice sites in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet as well as in patients’ own homes. To offer these services to patients and their families the charity must raise £11 million each year from the generous local community. Find out about the wide variety of service Pilgrims offer.
