A cube devoted to collecting presents for Pilgrims Hospices opened in the County Square, Ashford this week on route of the magical Snowdogs Discover Ashford arts trail.
The collection point located outside Costa Coffee in the shopping centre is being used to collect donations of new items such as toys, games, stocking fillers, beauty products, ladies’ and men’s gifts and chocolates to help the local charity with their fundraising.
The present cube in the County Square shopping centre Ashford
Fans of the very popular art trail can drop a present into the cube whilst visiting theSnowdogs such as Sparky, Zeus, Socks or the County Paws pack who are positioned nearby.
We always welcome new donated items throughout the year
Victoria – Pilgrims Hospices Fundraising
The donated goods will then be used on stalls in the hospice’s upcomingChristmas Fair being held at The Towers School, Faversham Road, Ashford on 10th November from 10am-3pm.
Ashford Fundraising Manager Victoria Friar said: “We always welcome new donated items throughout the year to use in our fundraising, especially new children’s toys and games. So if yourself or a child you know have enjoyed the trail and would like to make a contribution we would really appreciate a present dropped into the cube.”
Each year Pilgrims Hospices charity 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.
9th October 2018
Pilgrims’ care team get family together for Thanet 5k Colour Run
A local Thanet family with links to Pilgrims Hospices are supporting the Thanet 5k Colour Run on 21 October 2018. Lynda Craig (60), a Palliative Specialist Nurse, will cheer on family members who are taking part in the event, including her daughter, Natalie Sutton (31).
Lynda and Natalie, a Health Care Assistant, both work at the Thanet hospice.
Natalie will take part in the Thanet 5k Colour Run with her sister Ailsa Mace, niece Chloe Mace, aunt Carol Walkley and family friend Kendra Ryan. Lynda will join them on the day to support her family at the colourful, fun-filled event.
Lynda has worked for Pilgrims since May 2000, first on the Thanet ward then in recent years running clinics and visiting patients in the community. Natalie started working on the ward in May 2016. She said: “I get great satisfaction from being able to look after and care for our patients, whether that’s helping them with symptom control or providing end-of-life care on the ward.”
I get great satisfaction from being able to look after and care for our patients, whether that’s helping them with symptom control or providing end-of-life care on the ward.
Natalie Sutton, Health Care Assistant at Pilgrims
Lynda added: “I’ve had several close friends who have been cared for by Pilgrims, and I consider it a great privilege to have been able to care for them in the last weeks and days of their lives. It has brought new facets to my friendships; to sit and chat with a friend about death and dying, and their thoughts and wishes around it, has been a highlight of my career.
By taking on the Thanet 5k Colour Run and fundraising for local hospice care, the family hope to be able to support the valuable resources that Pilgrims offer and help people with life-limiting illness to live well in every moment.
Carol Walkley and Kendra Ryan
Ailsa and Chloe Mace
On the day, Lynda will be joined by several family members and friends who will all cheer on Natalie and team during their run. The team will wear multi-coloured tutus in keeping with the vibrant, colourful event.
I’ve had several close friends who have been cared for by Pilgrims, and I consider it a great privilege to have been able to care for them in the last weeks and days of their lives.
Lynda Craig, Palliative Specialist Nurse at Pilgrims
Lynda said: “To me, Pilgrims means love and caring, where patients and their families can receive support to live well in the time they have left.
“Having worked for Pilgrims for more than 18 years now, I’ve seen many patients and their families helped via symptom control, benefit help, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and Therapy Centre groups; the list is endless. We want these services to continue for the people of east Kent, which is why our family is getting involved with the Thanet 5k Colour Run.”
You can sponsor Natalie and family by visiting their JustGiving page.
Want to get colourful for Pilgrims? Visit pilgrimshospices.org/colourrun to sign up now to dash through bright paint clouds and get covered in colour in aid of local hospice care. Entry is £20 for adults and £15 for under 11s.
All participants will receive a running number, white t-shirt, funky glasses and colour sachet on the day. Extra paint sachets will be available to purchase at the event, and you’ll receive a thank you medal from Pilgrims when you cross the finish line.
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 visit click here for information on the Wellbeing and Social Programme.
8th October 2018
Colour Run for Claire in memory of grandma Sybil
Claire Mursell (24), an Early Help Support Worker from Ramsgate, will take on the Thanet 5k Colour Run on Sunday 21 October in memory of her grandma, Sybil Foord, who was cared for by Pilgrims in December 2014.
Running is a new hobby for Claire and her partner, Sam Grist. Claire was looking to get involved in an event that would give her motivation to keep it up, and that’s when she heard about the Thanet 5k Colour Run: “When I saw the event advertised on Facebook, I knew I had to take part and raise money for the charity that looked after my grandma.”
Claire’s grandma, Sybil Foord
The family were supported by Pilgrims when Sybil was receiving end-of-life care, so Claire feels that the Thanet 5k Colour Run is a fitting way to give back and help others: “My grandma was so well looked after by Pilgrims. She was made comfortable and our family were welcome to visit; it was a lovely, welcoming place. All the Pilgrims staff were helpful and gave our family the support we needed.
“Pilgrims means the world to me. With their kindness and care, they made my grandma’s last days the best they could be. This support was extended to our family after she passed.”
A huge thank you to my mum Trudy Mursell, she is my rock and supports me with everything I do.
Claire
Claire’s family and Sam are cheering her on and helping her raise vital funds in aid of Pilgrims. She said: “By getting sponsored to complete the Thanet 5k Colour Run, I hope to ensure that more local families can benefit from the support and care my grandma and my family received.”
Want to get colourful for Pilgrims? Visit pilgrimshospices.org/colourrun to sign up now to dash through bright paint clouds and get covered in colour in aid of local hospice care. Entry is £20 for adults and £15 for under 11s.
All participants will receive a running number, white t-shirt, funky glasses and colour sachet on the day. Extra paint sachets will be available to purchase at the event, and you’ll receive a thank you medal from Pilgrims when you cross the finish line.
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 visit click here for information on the Wellbeing and Social Programme.
2nd October 2018
Raffles’ recipe for a Magical Christmas Superdraw
The Magical Christmas draw tickets have landed at homes across east Kent, express delivery! The last six draws have raised an incredible £500,000 for vital care locally. Good-hearted supporters will often go to amazing lengths to raise funds for their much-loved local hospice charity. Pilgrims Hospices Christmas draw tickets are just one way that you can help from the comfort of your armchair.
There are 13 super cash prizes to be won in this year’s draw, which will take place on Thursday 13 December. Winners will receive their prizes in good time for extra Christmas treats. All responses received within 30 days will also be in with a chance of winning a £50 M&S gift voucher.
Shiralee Riddell, Pilgrims Lottery Manager, said: “Every year we are very grateful for the generosity of our Superdraw supporters. The response to our special festive draw is so positive; every ticket purchased will make a huge difference to someone who needs Pilgrims’ care.”
The hospices will be busy over the Christmas period, helping our patients and their families to share precious time together. Every £12 raised by the Magical Superdraw tickets will provide a special Christmas meal for someone who is being cared for on our wards during the festive season.
Every year we are delighted with the response to our special festive draw.
The charity needs to raise £11 million each year to maintain the services and care for local people and is committed to improving and developing its services to proivde better care for people in the local community.
“Pilgrims Magical Christmas Superdraw is just one of the ways you can help us achieve this massive sum. Your support really does help to create magical moments for those in our care and their families. Thank you for your amazing support”, added Shiralee.
If you haven’t received your tickets or wish to buy some or order additional tickets, please email [email protected] or call Shiralee on 01227 379 741 today.
Each year Pilgrims supports thousands 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.
