In Summer 2019 Natwest Commercial Team based in Maidstone decided to take on their very own challenge for Pilgrims Hospices. Step by step they came up with their own plan to walk 21km from Ramsgate Train Station to Deal.
They kicked off their fundraising, began their training and grew the team to 9 members strong.
Team captain, Charles Smith, said: “On the 26th July, the nine team members met up at Ramsgate Train Station to begin our 21km walk to Deal in support of Pilgrims. The 25th July was the hottest day of the year with a record temperature of 38.7 degrees Celsius being recorded across the UK so we were thankful of the storm that followed on Thursday evening bringing the temperature down. That being said it was still a hot and humid day as we walked along the south east coast with The Royal Hotel at Deal being the final destination.”
Kate Duddell, Fundraising Manager, said: “When we were approached by Natwest Commercial Team who wanted to take on their very own challenge, we were thrilled to be supported by the whole team.”
Charles added: “The Pilgrims balloons, unfortunately, didn’t make it through the whole walk with one of them not making it out of the train station car park, fortunately, this wasn’t a sign of how the team would fare on the walk itself! “
The team had a very much enjoyable morning and early afternoon with some beautiful views down by Pegwell Bay as well as some equally as attractive main roads and a “halfway” stop in Sandwich to reapply the sun cream and get a well-earned ice cream.
We would like to thank all those who have step by step raised an incredible £1,692.50!
Kate, Pilgrims
Charles also commented: “We also walked past the home of the UK Open 2020 with some of the team wishing they had signed up to play 18 holes instead before arriving on Deal seafront and having a sit-down or lie down for some. Twenty minutes after arriving in Deal, the heavens opened so not only were we thankful for all the support and money raised towards a fantastic cause, we were thankful for all the nagging given by the pace-setters in the group for getting us there just in time. Once again thanks to Pilgrims for all the fantastic work they do within east Kent and we hope the money raised can continue to support them with that work.”
Kate added: “We would like to thank all those who have step by step raised an incredible £1,692.50 for end of life care in east Kent. The amount raised for hospice care is so valuable and will allow us to provide the best possible support to families who need us. Every £20 could pay for nursing care, either on our wards or in a patient’s own home, so the funds raised through our communities own events, such as these are vital to the work Pilgrims Hospices does across east Kent.”
Care is provided 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.
6th September 2019
On the homeward run
Tim Wrigley took on a powerful and emotional challenge to run a 110-mile ultra-marathon in memory of his friend Ben Jackaman who passed away in 2017 after a short battle with a rare and untreatable cancer. The epic run from Lake Windermere in the Lake District, back to his home near Tadcaster in North Yorkshire has so far raised £2,111.99 for Pilgrims Hospices who cared for his good friend Ben. Tim was determined to help raise funds for the hospices’ Blackbird Project, he completed this mega challenge in just over 31 hours and 30 minutes.
Tim said: “The Blackbird Project provides a special recording service for patients to share messages, poems, and thoughts or anything else they would like to say and pass on to their friends and family. The project was co-founded by Ben’s parents and sister Sheena, Nick and Anna and has been eagerly supported since Ben’s memorial fund was donated to Pilgrims Hospices.
“When close friends and family die young, it’s a reminder that we don’t always get to choose what we do, so we can’t always put things off for another day.
“I’m counting myself lucky to have my physical and mental health, taking on this challenge and having such tremendous support and sponsorship from people around me has been a rewarding experience.”
Tim’s challenge idea was formed some years back when sitting in a traffic jam after a weekend climbing and walking in the Lakes when someone shouted out ‘we could walk faster than this’ and so it began.
The furthest Tim had ever run was around 30 miles, therefore this was a huge leap in the distance to undertake.
He set off from Bowness, Lake Windermere and did not stop moving except for the occasional comfort break until he reached home. The logistics were complicated and involved a team of more than 12 people providing support by meeting him at various locations with food, drink, and fresh clothes. It all took a lot of co-ordinating and virtually no sleep for anyone.
Tim added: “I managed to finish even though it took longer than I had anticipated, however, I’m pleased to complete it. My feet are less pleased but the blisters, aches, and pains will pass!
“I couldn’t carry the 12,500 calories of food and 10 litres of water cloths, torches etc. all the way; so a huge thank you goes out to my support team who kept me fed and watered and provided company and good humour throughout, and the people who ran with me for sections of the route and of course everyone who donated. I needed all the support and I would never have completed it without everyone else. It was definitely a team effort. And, a big thank you to everyone at Pilgrims for looking after my friend Ben, this was the least I can do.”
Lydia Todd, Pilgrims Hospices, Community Fundraising Officer said: “A massive congratulations to Tim, what an incredible achievement!
“I’m sure Tim’s story is going to inspire many more people to raise funds for local hospice care and help us to continue being there for over 2,400 individuals each year, so thank you for being so generous in supporting Pilgrims.
“Congratulations and thank you once again, Tim, for taking on such an epic challenge to support The Blackbird Project at Pilgrims Hospices.”
You can still support Tim’s effort by donating to his JustGiving page.
If you would like to know more about The Blackbird Project please visit this page or call Heather Sawney 01227 459 700.
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 option or visit support for you.
Laura is shining in memory of her dad Robert
Laura Homden from Whitstable, will be taking part in Pilgrims Hospices A Night to Shine sponsored walk on Friday 20 September; walking in memory of her dad Robert Bennett. Laura has already exceeded her fundraising expectations by raising over £550 to support the charity that cared for her father.
Laura told us: “Mum and Dad lived in Whitstable where he ran his building business with his brothers. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer and was only 57 when he passed away at Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury in November 2007.
“The family miss Dad every day; so, when my niece Ella saw the event promoted she encouraged my sister Kate and I to sign up and do something positive to raise extra money for the charity that made such a difference to Dad’s final days of life.
“I’m looking forward to the 5-mile sponsored walk and want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been so generous by donating to my JustGiving fundraising page. I had set myself a target to raise £150 and it’s wonderful to have tripled that figure with the contributions from friends and family. Walking A Night to Shine will mean so much more knowing I have helped to provide care for those who need Pilgrims’ help the most.
We all miss Dad every day.
Laura
“I didn’t know very much about Pilgrims Hospices before Dad’s illness, actually if I’m truthful I found it all quite scary but I couldn’t have been more wrong. The care given was amazing. Dad was at the centre of everything the care team did, making him feel comfortable was always their top priority. They were there for his every need and even managed to find time to check on the family and help us through such difficult times. Pilgrims is very close to all of our hearts.”
Laura added, “The family has become great supporters and donate whenever we can; we want this amazing place to always be there for families in need.”
You can join Laura and her family at A Night to Shine on Friday 20 September for a fun night-time sponsored walk with live music, a friendly party atmosphere and lots more.
The event takes place simultaneously in Ashford, Broadstairs and Canterbury, with all the details and how to register on the Pilgrims website: www.pilgrimshospices.org/shine. Or contact [email protected] or call 01227 812 609 for more information. Entry is £15 for adults and £12 for under 18s until 15 September 2019. Under 3s go free. Entry includes an event t-shirt and finisher’s medal.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,400 people in east Kent coming to terms with an illness that sadly cannot be cured. The charity support patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
3rd September 2019
Little Chloe joins walkers on A Night to Shine
Little Chloe Pullen from Elms Vale, Dover will have only just reached her 10th birthday when she takes part in Pilgrims Hospices’ A Night to Shine sponsored 5-mile walk in September. She took part last year in memory of her granddad, Derek Pullen, who was cared for by Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury in 2011 when Chloe was only two years old. Chloe hopes to reach her fundraising target of £100 to help even more people who need end of life care.
Chloe will be walking with her dad Gary Pullen who told us: “My dad and Chloe’s Grandma Vera lived in Maxton, Dover until Dad passed away from Mesothelioma in November 2011. Dad was 65 and was cared for by the excellent staff at the Canterbury hospice.”
Gary explained how much his daughter had enjoyed the event last year; especially the brilliant drums of the Samba Palo Mar band, the excitement of meeting Raffles the Pilgrims mascot bear, wearing her flashing headband and of course, receiving a medal for taking part.
“When Dad became ill, I didn’t really know very much about Pilgrims Hospices. What I can say now is, the staff at the Canterbury hospice were wonderful to both of my parents, at home and on the ward at Canterbury.
“We’re looking forward to the walk again this year and pleased to be a part of such a large gathering of supporters. We will enjoy the party atmosphere in the knowledge that our support is helping to do some really important work for such a vital and much loved local charity.”
You can help to support Chloe’s fundraising by donating to her JustGiving page.
The event will take place simultaneously in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet on Friday 20 September and there’s still time to register and join in the fun. Find out about the event and how to register here, email [email protected]or call 01227 812 609.
Care is provided 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.
