Daisy and Jimmy’s paw-fect walk for grandma Pauline
Daisy Nicholls Delo (11) from Margate and her pet pug Jimmy will take part in Paws 4 Pilgrims, a fun sponsored walk for Pilgrims Hospices, on Sunday 24 March 2019. The pair are walking in memory of Daisy’s grandma, Pauline Georgina Nicholls, who received care from the local hospice charity after she was diagnosed with liver cancer.
Pauline was from Westgate and worked for many years as a pharmacy assistant. She was a loving and family-orientated woman who always put others before herself. Her daughter and Daisy’s mum, Kirsty Nicholls (47), said: “Mum was devoted to raising my sister Michele and I, then when her grandchildren came along she dedicated her life to them. She really was the best mum.”
Pauline with her grandchildren Callum (24), Daisy (11) and Ruby (12)
Pauline was initially diagnosed with liver cancer in July 2017. She had chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment and was doing well, but sadly the cancer spread to her bones and became incurable. It was then that Pilgrims stepped in to help Pauline and her family. She was taken into the Margate hospice on 5 October 2018 and passed away six days later, aged 72. Kirsty said: “Mum wasn’t doing great when she arrived at the hospice, but she received the most amazing treatment and care. Pilgrims made her last week pain and stress-free and we will be forever grateful.
“The support we’ve experienced from Pilgrims as a family has been unbelievable; they helped Daisy through a really tough time, and my sister still receives their help now. Whenever she goes to the hospice the nurses and volunteer receptionists stop to ask how she’s doing, they always make time to talk.”
The support we’ve experienced from Pilgrims as a family has been unbelievable; they helped Daisy through a really tough time, and my sister still receives their help now.
Kirsty Nicholls
Daisy and Jimmy are taking part in the charity’s sponsored walk along the Deal coastline to say thank you, and to help other people who need Pilgrims’ care in the future. Family and friends will be supporting them on the day. Kirsty added: “Pilgrims means a lot to our family because they helped my mother through the last part of her life. She was only in the hospice for a short time, but the care she received was perfect and we are eternally grateful.”
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming Daisy and her pooch Jimmy after they won a free entry into our Paws 4 Pilgrims event through our Christmas competition last year. I am sure they will be looking to win much more in the fun dog show, too, that follows after the walk. There are 12 classes to choose from, including Fastest Sausage Catcher to Dog with the Most Sparkiest Eyes. Daisy has already raised £165 through JustGiving to help provide palliative care for the next person who needs Pilgrims’ vital support. What an amazing gift. Thank you.”
You can sponsor Daisy and Jimmy by visiting their JustGiving page.
Feeling inspired to join Daisy and Jimmy on this fun 5k walk?
Paws 4 Pilgrims takes place on Sunday 24 March in Deal. Sign up at pilgrimshospices.org/paws by 5pm on Monday 4 March to save with our Early Bird offer of just £10 per entry. All entries include one person and one dog. There’s no minimum sponsorship; dogs are asked to use their puppy dog eyes to raise as much sponsorship as they can!
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 for information about our Wellbeing and Social Programme.
Snowpup on show!
On Saturday 23 February Snowy, formerly the Pilgrims Hospices Snowpup, was unveiled at his new permanent kennel at Singleton Environment Centre (SEC).
After the successful Snowdog trail, which brought civic pride and fun to the streets and community of Ashford during autumn 2018, many residents were delighted that several of the pieces of art bought at the Gala Auction were to remain as part of the community and can be visited within the town at Elwick Place, Gateway Library and, as of two weeks ago, at Pilgrims Hospices where Parklife was unveiled.
Now joining these is Snowy, who was bought by Great Chart with Singleton Parish Council at the Gala Auction.
We really appreciated the opportunity to interpret and paint Snowy. We’ve really enjoyed being involved with the Snowdogs trail and we hope that everybody loves seeing Snowy at Singleton Environment Centre.
Kaya Cook and Robyn Bailey, Ashford College students
Singleton Environment Centre invited those involved in the project to an unveiling at the Centre on Saturday. These included council guests, representatives from Pilgrims and the two student artists who painted Snowy.
Snowy was a sculpture that was a fundamental part of the pack, being the first pup in Ashford. But he wasn’t placed on the trail; instead, he took on his own pawesome adventure across east Kent. This included stays at Pilgrims’ hospices in Canterbury and Thanet, as well as popping up at fundraising events and in the Pilgrims shops in Ashford and Tenterden.
Kaya Cook and Robyn Bailey with Snowy at the Ashford Snowdogs Gala Auction
Snowy was designed and decorated by Kaya Cook and Robyn Bailey, Year 2 students from Ashford College.
Kaya and Robyn said: “We were so excited to have been a part of the Snowdogs project! We really appreciated the opportunity to interpret and paint Snowy. He has been decorated in lots of key symbols that connect to the hospice and its work; these include the Memory Tree on one side of him, stars and the blue Pilgrims logo. We’ve really enjoyed being involved with the Snowdogs trail and we hope that everybody loves seeing Snowy at Singleton Environment Centre.”
Ian McClintock, Pilgrims’ Fundraising Manager Kate Duddell and Mayor of Ashford Cllr Jessamy Blanford with Kaya Cook, Robyn Bailey and Snowy
Ian McClintock, Chair of Great Chart with Singleton Parish Council, said: “It is really brilliant to have Snowy at the Singleton Environment Centre, but he will continue his pawesome adventure by visiting the two local schools in our parish and both village halls where many organisations will enjoy Snowy. We have created a ‘Friends of Snowy’ fundraising page so the whole community can support Snowy on his travels. I am sure he will be visited by many people at the SEC and he will be made very welcome back at the Pilgrims Hospice Ashford, too. Great Chart with Singleton Parish Council and Singleton Spaces are very pleased to be able to be part of the continuation of the first art trail instigated by the council and I hope everyone will enjoy Snowy wherever they see him.”
Snowy is the only Snowpup on public display, all the others have been returned to the schools that painted them as a treasured keepsake of this community project.
The shop windows of Pilgrims Hospices shop on the High Street in Deal are dressed to support the Paws 4 Pilgrims sponsored dog walk that’s taking place on Sunday 24 March.
Jenny Byrne, Pilgrims Retail Manager East, and shop volunteers Doreen Whalley and Ann Needleship have gathered all things doggie to create a fun window display to encourage dog owners to sign up and walk the 5km charity fundraising walk along the beautiful coastal route to raise money for Pilgrims care.
Jenny said: “There’s a brilliant selection of donated items in the window displays, we really hope to make visitors to our shop smile.
“We have wonderful shoppers who use our store regularly along with many day trippers who are picking up a bargain while visiting the seaside town of Deal.
“It’s a lovely opportunity to share the news of this fun fundraising event, especially as it’s happening in our own town. We hope to encourage lots more people to sign-up and join in with the event and raise important funds for people who need our help the most.”
The Deal shop is open from Monday thru Saturday 9:30 am – 4:30 pm: “We are full to the brim with some beautiful pre-loved clothing, trinkets, books, curiosities and lots more, please come and visit us. So why not ‘paws’ for a moment, and come in and browse.” added Jenny.
Did you know that Pilgrims Hospices has over 30 shops in east Kent? Your donations and purchases make a huge contribution to Pilgrims Hospices charity; allowing the care team to support over 2,400 each year on hospices wards in the hospices in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet as well and within the community and in peoples own homes.
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 Wellbeing and Social Programme.
19th February 2019
Stour Chambers charity quiz night raises thousands for hospice care
Stour Chambers’ annual charity quiz night held last month raised an impressive £4,573.10 in aid of Pilgrims Hospices. The event receives amazing support from local businesses, and this year was no different with over 140 quizzers in attendance. The combined ticket sales, raffle, auction and donations made on the night, raised this magnificent total, the largest figure that has been raised to date by their annual quiz night.
The quiz was made up of 6 rounds; ‘Beer’, ‘2018’, ‘Bond’, ‘The letter K’, a picture round, ‘guess the toy’ and a surprise activity round.
Kate Kochnari from Stour Chambers who writes the quiz was inspired by the music video ‘Happiness’ by Ed Sheeran for the activity round. The round required teams to make an ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend with a bag of supplies which included balloons, tape, crepe paper, and marker pens. Teams were given 10 minutes to build their creations and the results, well just have a look. The activity round was judged by the esteemed panel of Marc and Charlie from Stour Chambers and the winning entry was created by team ‘The Rolling Stones’.
The overall quiz winners were Fairweathers Solicitors who consistently scored high on each round of the quiz.
We would like to thank everyone who attended the evening and those who generously donated to the event.
Kate Kochnari, Stour Chambers
Stour Chambers quiz night receives great support from local businesses’ who generously donate to make this special fundraiser such an amazing success. This year they auctioned a Mulberry Purse (courtesy of Mulberry) which raised 2 impressive donations of £600 and £420 with both winners kindly placing the purse back into the auction to raise more money. Greta Boat Tours kindly donated a sailing trip for two people which raised an impressive £300 at auction; Red Key Concepts generously donated a 4 Ball at Littlestone Links Golf Course which raised £200 at auction; Fairweather Solicitors kindly donated an Overnight Big Cat Safari Experience at the Big Cat Sanctuary which raised an impressive £700.
Kate Kochnari said: “Stour Chambers would like to thank everyone who attended the evening and those who generously donated to the event.”
Lydia Todd, Community Fundraising Officer said: “It’s been great to get to know Kate over the years with their annual quiz night and it’s amazing to see the event grow and hear the wonderful feedback they receive from supporters of the event. I really enjoyed meeting the Stour Chambers team and helping with the setting up at the venue. The support we receive from them is invaluable and we can’t thank everyone who attended enough.”
If you would like to raise funds and support hospice care, please contact Pilgrims Hospices fundraising teams at fundraising@pilgrimshospices for friendly helpful advice on how to run your own event.
This year alone, Pilgrims Hospices has to raise £11 million through voluntary donations in order to run their full range of services. Sponsorship raised through events like these helps them to continue caring for local people at the end of their lives.
18th February 2019
Local teacher to walk on fire for hospice care in memory of dad
Local teacher Carol Cavanagh (54), from Garlinge near Margate, will take on a Firewalk for Pilgrims Hospices on Friday 1 March in Canterbury. She has signed up for the ‘hottest, shortest sponsored walk in the world’ in memory of her dad, Albert John Luckhurst, who was cared for at the charity’s Margate hospice in 2016.
Carol with her dad, Albert
Albert was an upholsterer and carpet fitter from Westgate-on-Sea and when he was diagnosed with incurable cancer, Pilgrims stepped in to provide vital support for him and his family. Carol said: “They couldn’t have done more for us all. From the moment I walked through the doors to request help for my dad, the staff and volunteers were so welcoming, caring and kind. It was very difficult initially, knowing what Pilgrims’ purpose is, but they acted immediately so Dad was receiving the care he needed. Our family and friends also received good support.
“My dad had just a short time in the Margate hospice before he sadly passed away aged 76, but as a family, we knew he was peaceful. That is so important.”
Carol is being sponsored by family and friends as she prepares to brave her barefoot Firewalk challenge. She hopes to raise £150 for the local hospice charity that supported Albert and his family when they needed it most. Carol added: “I want other families to be able to benefit from the care and kindness that Pilgrims gave my dad and us.”
My dad had just a short time in the Margate hospice before he sadly passed away, but as a family, we knew he was peaceful. That is so important.
Carol
Robert Grew, Events Fundraiser at Pilgrims Hospices, said: “We simply couldn’t provide the skilled and compassionate care we do for so many in our community without the support of people like Carol, ready to conquer their fear and face the flames in aid of Pilgrims Hospices. I’d like to wish Carol and all our firewalkers the best of luck for their challenge and thank them for putting their best foot forward for hospice care. We’ll be cheering you all the way.”
Feeling inspired to follow in Carol’s footsteps and face the flames?
There is still time to enter the Firewalk in Canterbury on Friday 1 March 2019 or Ashford on Saturday 2 March 2019.
Visit pilgrimshospices.org/firewalk or call 01227 812 609 to sign up now, but hurry, advance entry closes this Sunday 24 February 2019. Entry includes training seminar, firewalking experience and certificate.
Cliff Gerlach (67) from Capel-le-Ferne will take on a Firewalk for Pilgrims Hospices on Saturday 2 March. He is choosing to brave the ‘hottest, shortest sponsored walk in the world’ in memory of his wife, Linda, who received care from the charity last year. The event will be held in the grounds of the Ashford hospice, where Linda and her family were supported during her illness.
Cliff and Linda were together for more than 20 years and married in the chapel at Pilgrims Hospice Ashford on 28 September 2018, just a few days before Linda passed away aged 67. Reflecting on the care Linda received while at Pilgrims, Cliff said: “It was just brilliant. Pilgrims’ support was invaluable to Linda and our family. The nurses told Linda that anything she wanted, she could have – she even enjoyed a glass of wine one night.”
Linda’s daughter, Angela Carolan (47) from Folkestone, added: “Nothing was too much trouble. Our family were free to come and go with no restrictions; we stayed over at the hospice some nights. On the day of the wedding they even helped us with little things like parking.”
I’m doing it for Linda, but I hope that my fundraising will help other families who are experiencing Pilgrims’ care to keep going. I want everyone who needs it to be able to experience the hospice’s kind and compassionate service.
Cliff
Cliff has already raised more than £1,000 for his Firewalk, with 82 people sponsoring him so far and one donation arriving from as far afield as the United States, where his niece lives. On the night, family and friends will cheer Cliff on as he prepares for his dash across the flames. He said: “I wanted to do something to say thank you and the Firewalk was the first thing I saw; it came up on Facebook and I thought, yeah, I could do that.
“As a family we just want to do our best to support Pilgrims. I’m doing it for Linda, but I hope that my fundraising will help other families who are experiencing Pilgrims’ care to keep going. I want everyone who needs it to be able to experience the hospice’s kind and compassionate service.
Supporting Pilgrims has given me meaning and purpose. Asking people to put their name on my sponsorship form, knowing that this will help others who have life limiting illnesses, helps me get up in the morning and go on with life no matter how hard it seems.
Cliff
“When you lose somebody close you feel despair and grief, like you just want to give up, but supporting Pilgrims has given me meaning and purpose. Asking people to put their name on my sponsorship form, knowing that this will help others who have life limiting illnesses, helps me get up in the morning and go on with life no matter how hard it seems.”
Cliff is keen to keep giving back to Pilgrims and hopes to become a volunteer for the charity in the future. He’s also downloaded Pilgrims’ new event app and plans to sign himself and his dog up for Paws 4 Pilgrims, a fun 5k dog walk along the Deal coastline taking place on Sunday 24 March. He added: “The Pilgrims’ staff aren’t just there for end-of-life care but also to help people through all the difficult times when losing a loved one. I personally thank them for what they do, and I’ll be doing all I can to support Pilgrims in the future.”
Events Fundraiser Robert Grew with Cliff Gerlach
Robert Grew, Events Fundraiser at Pilgrims Hospices, said: “It’s great watching people like Cliff conquer their fear and brave the barefoot walk across the coals. I’m always astonished by the lengths people in our community will go to raise money for our end-of-life care services, and crossing red-hot wood embers that measure 800 degrees is no exception! I’d like to wish Cliff and all our firewalkers the best of luck for their challenge and thank them for putting their best foot forward for hospice care. I’ll be cheering you all the way.”
Feeling inspired to follow in Cliff’s footsteps and face the flames?
There is still time to enter the Firewalk in Canterbury on Friday 1 March 2019 or Ashford on Saturday 2 March 2019.
Visit pilgrimshospices.org/firewalk or call 01227 812 609 to sign up now, but hurry, advance entry closes this Sunday 24 February 2019. Entry includes training seminar, firewalking experience and certificate.
