Folkestone Channel Rotary hand over the sleigh reigns after more than a decade of Santas Fun Runs
Pilgrims Hospices are incredibly excited to be taking up the sleigh reigns of the fabulous Folkestone Channel Rotary’s Santas Charity Fun Run. The local charity will merge the well-known and much-loved Folkestone festive run with their own already successful Santas on the Run fundraiser. Folkestone Channel Rotary will continue to offer Pilgrims event support, ensuring this important local experience continues to be a popular festive feature in Folkestone and to help the fundraiser to grow from strength to strength.
Folkestone Channel Rotary hosted the Folkestone Santa Charity Fun Run for 14 years and raised an incredible £110,000 for local charities over that time. They have decided to invest and focus this success in to the growth of other important local events such as their triathlon, cycle ride and more.
Come and register for the jolliest jog of the year!
Louise Newman, Community Fundraising Manager
Louise Newman, Pilgrims Hospices Community Fundraising Manager said:“When Folkestone Channel Rotary approached us with the offer of the Santas fun run earlier in the year, we thought it to be a perfect match. My team responded with an enthusiastic and delighted yes please!
“I would just like to add a massive thank you for all the help and support that Folkstone Channel Rotary are giving us in the run up to our new ‘Santas on the Run’ event.
“We are very grateful they have passed on this fantastic community event; we intend to continue building on the success Folkestone Channel Rotary has achieved with this truly entertaining festive run and, important fundraiser for local hospice care.”
Santas on the Run! is an event for everyone, you can walk, run, jump or skip along the seafront with friends and family to get you all in the Christmas spirit. Join your local 3k or 5k fun run or challenge yourself to all 3 and join our tri-series! You’ll get to enjoy Christmas come early in 3 seaside towns whilst testing yourself to complete 3 festive fun runs, and you’ll get 3 festive medals plus a special fourth Christmas present medal for completing the challenge!
Edwin Beddy, President of Folkestone Channel Rotary told us: “Channel Rotary has been a firm supporter of Pilgrims Hospices over the years and we have developed a close and happy association.
“Our annual Folkestone Santa Run has been a firm favourite in the Kent Christmas programme since 2004 and has raised over £75,000 for local charities including Pilgrims Hospices.
“We now feel it is the right time for the Santa Run to become a much larger spectacle for the benefit of the broader Kent community and so have agreed that future runs will be organised by Pilgrims Hospices in association with Channel Rotary.
“We wish Pilgrims every success as they expand the Folkestone Santa Run into additional runs in Herne Bay and Margate between 1st and 15th December and look forward to working with them in the years to come.”
Folkestone Channel Rotary are a group of nearly 50 like-minded people from all walks of life, active and retired, who work together to support the community of South East Kent with funds and many hours of hands on expertise. The rotary club generously support many local charities and good causes in east Kent, Pilgrims Hospices being one of these. Folkestone Channel Rotary has raised over of £14,000 for local hospice care since 2001. Among many methods of fundraising, over £5,000 has been raised through the rotary club’s donation from their annual Santa Charity Fun Run.
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 Programme.
25th October 2019
Emma’s fantastic family fundraising in memory of mum
Emma Godden from Faversham is a fantastic fundraiser for Pilgrims Hospices; her family has raised thousands for the local charity in memory of Emma’s mum, Teresa Armstrong, who was cared for at the Canterbury hospice in 2019.
Teresa lived with cancer for many years. She was given the all clear in December 2018, but in February 2019 received the heartbreaking news that the cancer had returned. She was admitted to the Canterbury hospice in April 2019 where she spent her final days with family by her side.
Emma said: “Pilgrims’ care and support for both Mum and the family was incredible. Mum felt loved and free of pain in her most precious moments. The nurses and volunteers came every morning with huge smiles and stories to tell, they even started to recognise us walking through the door.”
“When we heard the news that Mum only had days left, the family gathered at the the hospice, talking, kissing and hugging her, so she knew we were all by her side.
My 11 family members were in and out of the hospice, staying overnight and sleeping in chairs and on put up beds, and even taking over the living room space. And did the hospice moan? No way. They offered us tea and coffee, blankets and pillows, knowing that we wanted to be there during Mum’s final moments.”
Pilgrims’ care and support for both Mum and the family was incredible. Mum felt loved and free of pain in her most precious moments. The nurses and volunteers came every morning with huge smiles and stories to tell, they even started to recognise us walking through the door.
Emma
Teresa was a popular lady in the Faversham area who was loved by many people. She worked for years in local pubs, including The White Lion in Selling, The George in Newnham and finally at The Alma in Painters Forstal. Emma said: “Mum was an inspirational woman, not a bad bone in her body. Her smile lit up every room she walked into. She really was my idol and soulmate.
Charley, Teresa and Emma
“She raised my brother Matthew, sister Charley and I in the best possible way. Mum was our biggest fan and the rock that held our family together. She couldn’t give us fame and money, but she gave us the best thing a mother could – life and happiness.”
In June 2019, Emma and her colleague Rachel Honey did a skydive for Pilgrims and raised over £1,200 for hospice care. A few months later, her auntie Diane Davis organised a charity BBQ at The Ship Inn in Ospringe that raised more than £1,000. Most recently, Emma, Charley, Diane and family friend Carol Waters took part in A Night to Shine. Carol works for Furley Page, a local law firm that sponsored the event. Through fundraising, Emma hopes to raise awareness of Pilgrims’ services so that other families can access hospice support when they need it the most.
She added: “One afternoon, a Pilgrims nurse explained to us how much it costs to keep all three hospices running. It was unreal. Discovering only 25% of their funding comes from the NHS but that this is reviewed each year so can’t be guaranteed, and the rest has to be raised by the general public, we realised how much Pilgrims relies on fundraising. This is why I support them, as I know the money I raise or give will be a patient’s food and/or bed for their time of need.
“If you’d have asked me a year ago I wouldn’t have known what Pilgrims was. I think that’s crazy, because now they mean so much to me. Without Pilgrims, Mum and our family wouldn’t have got the care we all needed in her final moments. They are truly amazing people, each and every one of them.”
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 Programme.
24th October 2019
Pilgrims presents Mr & Mrs Claus
As the festive season approaches, Santa Claus’s time is precious. When Pilgrims Hospices made a request for Santa to welcome everyone to their Pre-Loved Christmas Fair, he politely declined and suggested some fine alternatives.
Dave Hall and Trudy Dotchin from Herne Bay will be standing in for the real Santa as Mr & Mrs Claus at Pilgrims Hospices Pre-Loved Christmas Fair on Saturday 23 November, being held at Westgate Hall, Canterbury.
Trudy with some of the fabulous volunteer team from Pilgrims Hospices Herne Bay shop
Dave and Trudy have both retired from roles as teaching assistants in London and live in Herne Bay. Trudy is a regular volunteer at Pilgrims Herne Bay shop and her partner Dave, has been a Santa at school fairs and local events for more than 10 years.
They both have busy lives but love volunteering and being an active part of the local community. Trudy said; “I’ve been a Pilgrims volunteer for around 8 months, I really enjoy being part of the team. I often visited the shop to browse for a bargain, but now the grandchildren are at school, I have more time to offer my help.
I wasn’t bargaining on being nominated to be Mrs. Claus!
Trudy, Pilgrims Hospices Volunteer
“The hospices are such an important and worthwhile part of our community, I’ve had friends who’ve needed their care in the past and I’m very pleased to be able to offer my time to help in the shop now.
“When Charlotte Brown, Pilgrims Area Manager asked if anyone might like to be Santa for the Pre-Loved Christmas Fair, I suggested Dave straight away, however… I wasn’t bargaining on being nominated to be Mrs. Claus! “
Charlotte said: “I’m delighted that Dave and Trudy are helping on the day: the retail Christmas Fair was a brilliant success last year and raised over £3,000 for local hospice care.
“We are busy gathering all things Christmassy for our event and we hope to have even more to offer our customers this year.”
Come along between 10am – 3pm for gifts, trinkets, new toys and games, fancy-dress clothing, festive glamour, brand new with tags, jewellery, and more.
Get into the Christmas spirit and join the Pilgrims retail team on Saturday 23November 10am – 3pm, Westgate Hall, Canterbury CT1 2BT. Email [email protected] for more information.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,500 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. Every penny raised at the festive fair will be making a difference to people who need Pilgrims care the most.
23rd October 2019
Dover Outreach group offers hospice care in heart of community
Dover Outreach group is a wellbeing cafe and pop-in service for people who are accessing Pilgrims Hospices services. It is a space for patients and carers to relax in each other’s company, share their journeys and enjoy me time.
The group meets every Friday at The Phoenix Railway Club in Dover, a venue in the heart of the local community. New people are always joining. Pilgrims’ staff facilitate each week, in case there are any matters that need to be taken back to the medical team or other members of the multidisciplinary team.
Leanne Clark, Kath Steele and Maxine Lewis, Wellbeing Practitioners
Dover Outreach was created by Kath Steele, Wellbeing Practitioner at Pilgrims. It is a quiet and comfortable place for patients and carers to socialise and meet others in similar situations. They can also enjoy therapies like hand and foot massage from complementary therapist Jayne Dunsby, and volunteers Shirley and Mavis make lots of tea and coffee for everyone.
Complementary therapies like hand massage are offered at the group
Maxine Lewis, Wellbeing Practitioner at Pilgrims, said: “Patients and carers often help each other. They might want advice with finding travel insurance, for example; staff don’t necessarily have that direct experience, but another patient or carer may be able to help.”
Playing bocce at Dover Outreach
One patient who attends is Ruth Mitchinson. She said: “I enjoy being able to talk with others who’ve had similar experiences. We have tea and biscuits, and sometimes cake!”
Dover Outreach has good connections with Dover smART, a charity run by Dawn Maddison, Founder and CEO and Laura Graham, Project Coordinator. They attend most Fridays, offering creative art and craft projects for patients and carers to get involved with. Patients’ artwork is often displayed in their gallery on Dover seafront.
Leanne Clark, Wellbeing Practitioner, said: “Dover Outreach is so valuable to our patients and carers who attend. It is a quiet and safe space for people to relax and gain good peer support with others who are on similar journeys. It’s so important for them to have a place they can come to with no judgement and a friendly smile when they need it most.”
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 Programme.
22nd October 2019
Pilgrims supporters add colour to the coastline of Thanet
The Thanet 5K Colour Run returned to Margate with a blast of colour on Sunday 20 October, raising valuable funds for Pilgrims Hospices care. More than 800 adults and children were on a mission to add colour to the coastline of Thanet. Complete with colourful glasses and white t-shirts, excited Pilgrims supporters got ready to run, jog and walk through the clouds of vibrant and multi-coloured paints.
Those taking part warmed up with a fun work out from Bex from Zuma Margate, followed by the countdown from Karen Kenward, Pilgrims Hospices Community Fundraising Manager. The sky was filled with colour as the lively crowds made their way through the colour stations and along the coastal route from The Oval, Clintonville, Margate. The atmosphere was filled with the sound of laughter as everyone set off toward Palm Bay.
The atmosphere this event creates is just incredible.
Karen, Pilgrims Hospices
Karen said: “This is Pilgrims Hospices fourth Colour Run and, again we’ve exceeded our expectations.
“We were delighted to welcome Pilgrims Chair of Trustees, Richard Davis, who came to watch the spectacle and cheer our runners on their way. Richard also handed out the colourful sunglasses to everyone taking part in the event.”
Richard said: “I went to help and support at the Colour Run last year and, put my name down to get involved again this year.
“The colours and the number of supporters are just overwhelming, such a wonderful and enjoyable event for the whole family.”
Karen went on to say: “The atmosphere this event creates is just incredible; you really have to be there to see it, colour and laughter all the way.
“What an amazing way to raise much needed funds to support palliative care for the next person who needs us.”
A huge Pilgrims thank you to Your Leisure, Westwood Cross Shopping Centre, Margate Ambulance, Stagecoach, Copy Shop, Academy Radio, Matt & Vino from Mini Stores in Deal, Bex for our warm up, all the staff and volunteers who helped make the event possible and most importantly, each and everyone of you for taking part. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did, see you all next year.
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 supports patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress. Care is provided from three hospice sites in Thanet, Canterbury and Ashford 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.
18th October 2019
Uniquely Pilgrims fashion exhibition
Canterbury College students upcycle for charity, they are bringing a new lease of life to charity shop donations after setting themselves an upcycling challenge in aid of Pilgrims Hospices.
In partnership with Pilgrims Hospices, Level 1 & 3, Canterbury School of Visual Arts (CSVA) students have been adding their own creative flair to items and fabrics that need a bit of love and attention; they’ve been choosing their pieces from Pilgrims vintage shop in Burgate, Canterbury.
During Canterbury Festival, the project will culminate in the Uniquely Pilgrims Fashion Exhibition at Pilgrims Hospices on Friday 1st November, where the students will be able to showcase their creations for viewing.
We are very excited to be supporting Pilgrims Hospices.
Sue Freeman, Canterbury College
Both Canterbury College and Pilgrims Hospices would like to invite the general public to come along to this event and see the finished products. The Pilgrims retail team will also be there on the night so viewers will also have the chance to browse our vintage rails and purchase something special.
Basing their creations on Kent Garden of England theme, the students led by college tutor, Sue Freeman have been experimenting with all things nature. From bees to birds to shrubbery and brambles, the students will be creating embellished and fabric manipulated accessories such as cushions, aprons, t-shirts and lots more.
Sue Freeman, college tutor, said: “This has been a lovely project to do with L1 & L3 students.
“We have been inspired by artists and designers who get their ideas from the natural world.
“It has also been an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful abundance of fruit, vegetables and wildlife we have in Kent.
“The students have been amazing with their responses and we are very excited to be supporting Pilgrims Hospices and hope that visitors enjoy it too.”
Once the items have been showcased, they will be available to purchase either on the night or in Pilgrims Hospices vintage shop in Burgate.
Funds raised through this project will support the work of Pilgrims Hospices to continue delivering specialist nursing care to patients living with incurable illness in east Kent.
Event details:
Friday 1st November, 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Pilgrims Hospices, 56 London Road, Canterbury CT2 8JA
Suggested donation of £5 on the door.
Nibbles and drinks will be served on the night.
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 Programme.
