Local man’s fundraising reaches new heights for Pilgrims Hospices
One of Pilgrims Hospices’ most daring fundraisers, Ty Smith from Folkestone, continues to reach new heights in his plans to raise £50,000 for the local charity in memory of his mother, Heather.
The former Kent Royal Marine Commando recently summited two technically demanding alpine peaks in Bolivia, successfully climbing Huayna Potosi (6,088m) and Illimani (6,438m) in the space of just 11 days.
On completing the latest of several extreme climbs including the Matterhorn last year, Ty said: “There is nothing worse than the bitter feeling of loss, missing someone you will never see again. However, I have turned this feeling into one of ambition, having made a promise to climb Mount Everest in memory of my mum. I’ve been determined to succeed since then. I’ve had some setbacks but never gave up, so I’m proud I can now move on to the all important next steps towards climbing Everest in aid of Pilgrims Hospices.”
There is nothing worse than the bitter feeling of loss, missing someone you will never see again. However, I have turned this feeling into one of ambition, having made a promise to climb Mount Everest in memory of my mum.
Ty
After suffering from a sudden stroke, a scan revealed that Ty’s mother had a tumour. Whilst she was in surgery, Ty returned from overseas to be at his mother’s side and was told that her tumour was an aggressive form of cancer and that she was terminally ill.
With the support of Pilgrims’ dedicated community nursing team, the family were able to care for Heather in the comfort of her own home, until she passed away holding Ty’s hand.
Community Fundraising Manager for Pilgrims’ Ashford hospice, Victoria Friar, said “Ty’s determination and bravery is so inspiring. His efforts have already raised enough to cover more than a month of the expert end-of-life nursing care, which our charity provides throughout east Kent. A huge thank you to Ty and all of his generous sponsors.”
Ty feels extremely lucky to be in a position to pay back Pilgrims Hospices for their care, adding: ‘‘No matter how hard things get and no matter what is thrown at you, if you go through it smiling you’ll come out stronger. What better way to raise money and awareness for Pilgrims Hospices than by climbing the highest mountain in the world to be close to my mum.”
If you’re feeling inspired by Ty’s story, Pilgrims offer an amazing selection of challenges each year so you, too, can go the extra mile for local hospice car. Visit pilgrimshospices.org/events to find out more.
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.
14th August 2018
Local housing association tee off again for Pilgrims Hospices
Staff at Orbit Group in Maidstone chose to support Pilgrims Hospices for a second year in July at their annual Charity Golf Day at The Ridge Golf Club in Maidstone.
More than 130 golfers from across the construction industry attended the 8th annual golf day, helping to raise an incredible £13,351.09 for hospice care.
Regional Contracts Manager for Orbit Group, Wayne Shultz said: “Thanks to the generosity of our guests and our own employees in the Maidstone office, we’ve been able to support a worthy local charity.”
Leila Ilkhan, Community Fundraising Manager for Pilgrims added: “The team at Pilgrims would like to thank the staff of Orbit Group for supporting us for the second year running.
“The golf day was a great success and enjoyed by everyone who took part. The money raised will make a huge difference to those who receive our care locally.”
Teams supporting the event included Jenner, McIntyre Electrical, and Kent Design Studio.
Those competing in the charity day enjoyed the popular par 71 course set in some of the most beautiful countyside in Kent. After trying their luck at ‘the longest drive’ and ‘closes to the pin’, everyone tucked into a tasty two-course meal shared golfing stories and raised even more vital funds by taking part in the big prize charity raffle.
Wayne Shultz added: “Pilgrims is very close to many people’s hearts and truly demonstrates our ‘building communities’ ethos.”
Pilgrims rely on the generous support of the local community to ensure continued specialist care and support to those living with incurable illnesses in east Kent when they need it the most.
Patients and their families are supported at the hospices in Ashford, Canterbury, and Thanet, in the community and in the own homes.
If you would like to find out more about Pilgrims or if you and your colleagues would like to organise a charity event then please contact your local fundraising team.
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 the end of life care given on its wards to its Wellbeing and Social Programme supporting people after they are diagnosed to live well and stay independent.
9th August 2018
Pilgrims benefit from national charity bag campaign
Staff at Mountain Warehouse stores in Canterbury and Thanet have chosen Pilgrims Hospices as their local charity to benefit from the new charity bag campaign.
The campaign launched in July by UK outdoor retailer Mountain Warehouse will see all 220 stores across the UK supporting a local charity close to the store’s heart. Customers will be able to purchase a charity bag whilst shopping in the store and will have the choice of 5 canvas tote bags costing £1.99 each.
100% of the profits from each bag sold will go to the local charities chosen to raise vital funds for charities across the UK.
Many of our staff have a connection with the care provided by Pilgrims Hospices.
Jane Hoatson, Mountain Warehouse Store Manager
Jane Hoatson, Manager at the Canterbury store said: “Many of our staff have a connection with the care provided by Pilgrims. We could not think of a worthier charity to support. Our customers are delighted that we chose Pilgrims Hospices to benefit from the sale of our charity bags.”
Mountain Warehouse T
Mountain Warehouse C
Aaron Gibson, Manager at the Westwood Cross store added: “It’s important to us to support our local Pilgrims Hospice; we know the local community love and support Pilgrims and we wanted to be part of that too.
We know the local community love and support PIlgrims and we wanted to be part of that too.
Aaron Gibson, Mountain Warehouse Store Manager
“The bags are selling well already and our stores hope to sell may more in support of Pilgrims care and services.
“This much-loved local hospice charity provides care and support to so many without our community at a time of great need.”
Leila Ilkhan, Pilgrims Community Fundraising Manager popped down to the store in Canterbury to purchase her charity bag and said: “I am delighted that the teams at Mountain Warehouse in Canterbury and Thanet have chosen to support their local hospice through this new campaign. This will bring fantastic awareness for Pilgrims as well as an opportunity to raise vital funds for our charity.”
Karen Kenward, Pilgrims Community Manager for Thanet said: “The bags are lovely, I’m sure everyone who purchases will be delighted. Pilgrims would like to thank Aaron and his team for nominating our charity for their support. The money the campaign will raise will be put to very good use on the hospice wards and within the homes of those we care for within the community.”
Pilgrims hospices rely on the generous support from its local community to ensure we can continue providing compassionate and specialist care to those living with incurable illnesses in east Kent when they need it the most.
If you would like to support the charity bag campaign and help raise vital funds for Pilgrims Hospices pop along to the Thanet or Canterbury store and purchase your charity bag today!
The hospices provide specialist palliative care for people with life-limiting illnesses in east Kent. It is independent of the NHS and receives only a small percentage of funding of its £11 million running costs, which means the remainder must be raised by donations and fundraising activities.
If you or someone you know is coping with a life-limiting illness and you think you may benefit from Pilgrims support, talk to your GP or Healthcare Professional about the options or click here to read about our Wellbeing and Social Programme.
8th August 2018
Spencer Private Hospitals present knockout cheque to Pilgrims
A group of colleagues from Spencer Private Hospitals have presented a cheque for almost £1,300 to Pilgrims Hospice Thanet. The amazing donation was raised by the staff team who took part in Pilgrims’ It’s a Knockout event in Ramsgate earlier this year.
A team of ten, each with personal experience of Pilgrims Hospices’ care, raised cash and awareness by collecting sponsorship from family, friends, and colleagues for their madcap team challenge.
They were amongst teams from local businesses, colleagues and friends who rolled, jumped, ran and generally laughed their way across bouncing castles and slippery slides to support Pilgrims.
Each member of our team had a positive, personal story about Pilgrims Hospices.
Jennifer Whitehead, Customer Service Manager at Spencer Private Hospitals
Jennifer Whitehead, Customer Service Manager for Spencer Private Hospitals, said: “Each member of our team had a positive, personal story about Pilgrims Hospices, so it was a natural choice for us to support them.
“It’s a Knockout was an absolutely brilliant day for fundraising and I’m so proud of how we did as a team. The support received and the money raised is a testament to the hard work we put in as a team, and we’re delighted it’s going to Pilgrims Hospices.”
The Spencer team at It’s a Knockout 2017
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet, accepted the cheque and said: “We wish to thank the Spencer team and everyone who supported their efforts by contributing to the fundraising.
“This very generous contribution will make a huge difference to so many people who need our care locally.
We wish to thank the Spencer team and everyone who supported their efforts by contributing to the fundraising. This very generous contribution will make a huge difference to so many people who need our care locally.
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet
“We have once again enjoyed hearing about the fun the team had at our It’s a Knockout event and hope that Jennifer and her team will be entering a team for the event next year.”
If you or someone you know is coping with a life-limiting illness and you think you may benefit from Pilgrims support, talk to your GP or Healthcare Professional about the options or click here to read about Pilgrims Hospices services.
7th August 2018
Leanne completes Three Peaks Challenge in memory of mum
Leanne Cozens from Sittingbourne recently tackled the Three Peaks Challenge in just under 24 hours. She took on the challenge to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of her mum, Pamela Cozens, and raise vital funds for Pilgrims Hospices.
On 2 June 2018, Leanne set off to climb Scafell Pike, Mount Snowdon and Ben Nevis. An amazing 23 hours and 56 minutes later, Leanne and her group were celebrating their success at completing the Three Peaks Challenge.
Mum spent her final five days in the Canterbury hospice and Pilgrims made those days as comfortable as they possibly could. I’ve always wanted to do something to help out, so when I saw this challenge I thought it was the perfect way
Leanne
Leanne said, “Mum spent her final five days in the Canterbury hospice and Pilgrims made those days as comfortable as they possibly could. I’ve always wanted to do something to help out, so when I saw this challenge I thought it was the perfect way – it was a challenge, but the worthy cause kept me determined throughout.”
Leanne smashed her a original fundraising target and raised more than £200 for Pilgrims Hospices.
Lydia Todd, Community Fundraising Officer at Pilgrims Hospices, said: “Leanne took on a massive personal challenge to raise money in memory of her mum, Pamela, and it’s amazing to see her commitment to her fundraising.
“The money raised by Leanne’s challenge means more than 11 hours of specialist nursing care by our nurses. Pilgrims is an independent charity that provide services free of charge to patients and their families, so support from fundraisers like Leanne helps us be there for the next family who need our dedicated care and support.”
If you’re feeling inspired by Leanne’s story, Pilgrims offer an amazing selection of challenges each year so you, too, can go the extra mile for local hospice car. Visit pilgrimshospices.org/events to find out more.
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.
Patient treats Pilgrims’ nurses to ice lollies
Thoughtful Pilgrims patient, Steve Price, treated the care team at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet to ice lollies as temperatures in Margate rocketed into the high 20 degrees.
Computer programmer Steve, who took early retirement in 2004, has been spending some time at the Margate hospice to help manage his pain before returning to his home in Deal. Steve was diagnosed with life-limiting pancreatic cancer; the Pilgrims community team has been supporting him and will continue to visit his home when he returns there soon.
Steve said: “I thought it would be nice to offer the Pilgrims staff a cooling treat during this prolonged period of scorching temperatures. My daughter, Kate, did some ice lolly shopping before bringing my granddaughter Lucy to visit me at the Thanet hospice.
I was so pleased to have been able to offer some cooling treats to the Pilgrims team. I just thought everyone has been so kind and looked after me, I wanted to do something nice for them. The staff have been brilliant.
Steve
“Pilgrims chef George found freezer space for the lollies and I was so pleased to have been able to offer some cooling treats to the Pilgrims team. I just thought everyone has been so kind and looked after me, I wanted to do something nice for them. The staff have been brilliant; nothing is too much trouble, even though the heat has been quite exhausting for everyone.”
Pilgrims’ care team Maxine Lewis, Sharon Hill, Louise Jarman and Lou Boulton
Georgina Braithwaite, Head Chef at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet, said: “It was a lovely surprise and a very kind gesture made by Steve. The mini heat wave has been quite a challenge over the past weeks so the lollies were really appreciated.
“My catering team has been working continuously to keep our patients, their families and our staff refreshed and hydrated. Our juicer machine has been working full time to supply cold fresh juice to patients whose appetites are being affected by some of the hottest weather we’ve experienced in a long time.”
It was a lovely surprise and a very kind gesture made by Steve. The mini heat wave has been quite a challenge over the past weeks so the lollies were really appreciated.
Georgina Braithwaite, Head Chef at Pilgrims Hospices
Steve’s daughter Kate said: “Everyone has been so lovely to my dad, he’s had time to relax and respond to his treatment. We are very aware that the environment really feels like home and everyone is always ready to offer help and greet us with a kind smile.
“The staff and volunteers have been wonderful and spent time with my daughter Lucy, which has allowed me to have some precious time with my dad.”
It’s great to be making and sharing some wonderful memories right now.
Steve
Steve is looking forward to going home to enjoy the Deal seafront and also a special visit from his family who are arriving from Australia, especially as he will meet a new grandchild for the first time. Proud granddad Steve is also looking forward to sharing ice lollies and other seaside treats with them this summer.
“Although I know I will not be there to see all of the grandchildren grow up, it’s great to be making and sharing some wonderful memories right now,” Steve added.
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 Wellbeing and Social Programme supporting people after they are diagnosed to live well and stay independent.
