Family fun coastal dog walk for pawsome volunteering family
Regular Pilgrims Hospices volunteer Ginny Taylor along with family and friends have signed up to walk the Paws 4 Pilgrims sponsored dog walk on Sunday 29 March. Ginny is most often found cooking up a storm for a wide variety of the hospice’s events; producing cakes, savouries and many scrumptious culinary delights, all to support fundraising events for her chosen charity. On this occasion she’s swapping her apron and kitchen equipment for dog leads and treats for her four-legged friends.
Ginny took part in the fun 5-kilometre dog walk along the beautiful Deal coastline last year and told us: “We had a wonderful time last year, we’ve signed up to take part again this year. I’m walking with my husband, daughter, granddaughter and family friends; Sam and her daughter, Ebony. It’ll be a real family affair and we really can’t wait.
“I really appreciate all of the hard work the hospice care team provide for our local community and, my family have been personally touched by Pilgrims Hospices support several times. I’m very pleased to be helping to raise awareness and sponsorship to help.”
The Paws 4 Pilgrims walk is a fantastic event that everyone can take part in and enjoy.
Ginny Taylor
Between them the family will have three waggy dog tails and, seven pairs of keen supporter legs; they are all ready to join hundreds of others who will embark on the popular annual event.
“Deal is very pretty, the walk was fantastic last year; the sun shone and our dogs, Buddy, Ralph and Tilly loved taking part in the fun dog show, with Ralph winning a 3rd place rosette in the cutest puppy competition.” she added.
You can register to take part in Paws 4 Pilgrims here.
Karen Kenward, Pilgrims Community Fundraising Manager said: “By supporting this fun dog walk, you’re helping to support people within our community who need specialist palliative care; both within the hospices and at home. Don’t forget you do not need a dog to join the walk.
“Thank you Ginny for joining in with the fun again this year, we anticipate lots of laughter and a lot love and affection for the dogs who are walking for Pilgrims. We look forward to seeing you there.”
Ginny said: “The Paws 4 Pilgrims walk is a fantastic event that everyone can take part in and enjoy. Whether you are an experienced walker or just enjoy a gentle stroll with your pet pooch, it’s so pretty and the dogs will have much fun with all of their new-found furry friends.”
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.
26th February 2020
Jane’s passion for painting with textiles
Jane Dickins’s passion for art and fabrics has led her to volunteer for Pilgrims Hospices in the High Street shop in Deal. She is an avid up-cycler and loves to create works of art with interesting fabrics. One of Pilgrims volunteers spotted Jane’s keen eye for detail and creative flair on a visit to source fabrics in the Deal shop. She was asked to consider joining the Monday afternoon volunteer team and has been a regular volunteer ever since.
Jane told us: “I’ve always loved visiting Pilgrims shops when searching for fabrics and creative ideas.
“I often check out the rag collections and find some brilliant materials to work with. That’s the great thing about my work creating with fabrics; garments don’t need to be perfect, I deconstruct them for my designs; giving them a new lease of life as part of my texture and colour fabric pictures and designs.
I’ve always loved visiting Pilgrims shops when searching for fabrics and creative ideas.
Jane Dickins
“It’s great to know nothing is ever wasted from the donations given; the team of volunteers ensure all garments are of good quality before reaching the shelves for customers to purchase. Anything unsuitable is bagged for rags and sold to be made into cleaning materials and similar products.
“For a donation, I select suitable fabrics and colours for my designs, it’s an Aladdin’s cave of wools, cottons, leathers, I think of it as painting with textiles.”
Jane’s artwork
Jane who is originally from Australia enjoyed a career in archaeology specialising in Aboriginal art. She studied at Cambridge and lived in London before falling in love with Deal in Kent where she’s now settled with her husband. Jane uses many of these influences in her fabric designs and pictures, which she works on from her studio in Deal.
Recently Jane exhibited some of her amazing artwork at the contemporary art gallery, Linden Hall Studio in Deal with great success.
She added: “I’m so pleased I’m able to combine my work as an artist with volunteering; I love my regular Monday afternoon slot at the Pilgrims shop, we are a great team and it’s rewarding to know my time supporting in the shop is really helping to make a difference to end of life care in the local community.”
If you would like to find out about volunteer opportunities with Pilgrims Hospices, please click here.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,400 people in east Kent who are 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.
19th February 2020
Fabulous Folkestone furniture shop opens to the public
Pilgrims Hospices has added an exciting new shop to its existing 31 stores across east Kent. The Folkestone Furniture shop opened on Friday 14 February, showcasing a huge range of new and pre-loved items including small pieces of occasional furniture, right up to and including full bedroom suites and, pretty much anything in between, as well as a full range of homewares including lighting, soft furnishings, curtains, ornaments and kitchen equipment.
The newly refurbished shop at 21, Guildhall Street, Folkestone is now a modern and bright space and, a welcome addition to the local community. It had previously been an empty unit for the past eight years, it’s now filled with something to suit all budgets and styles.
We are really excited about our new shop, and we’re pleased to have been welcomed by the local traders. We want the shop to become a key part of the local community.
Tim Stewart, Pilgrims Hospices
Tim Stewart, Pilgrims Retail Business Development Manager said: “We have a brilliant team who have been working amazingly hard to keep this project on schedule and open to the public on time.
“The shop is a wonderful space to showcase our diverse stock range, which includes some beautiful brand new lamps, cookware and so much more along with amazing retro and classic furniture.
“We are really excited about our new shop, and we’re pleased to have been welcomed by the local traders. We want the shop to become a key part of the local community. This is our largest furniture store and, we are confident that we’re offering something for everyone.”
The furniture shop joins the popular Pilgrims shop located in the main shopping precinct on Sandgate Road. The ground floor offers a wide range of goods including vintage clothing, accessories, trinkets, glass, crockery, books and vinyl records to name just a few of the treasures. The first-floor stocks a large selection of clothing, accessories and linens priced at £1, £2 and £3.
Folkestone shop manager Sarah Potts with volunteers Meg Alderson and Dotty Simms
Folkestone shop volunteer Andrea Samson
Folkestone shop volunteer Elizabeth Wyatt
The seaside town of Folkestone is most definitely worth a visit and Pilgrims shops will be topped up with eye-catching items to tempt you, whether an impulse buy or a more considered purchase. The friendly Pilgrims teams will be happy to help you.
The shops are run by a manager and supported by a small team of volunteers, but more volunteers are always very welcome.
If you would like to volunteer in one of the Folkestone shops or find out more about other volunteering opportunities with Pilgrims, click here.
Pilgrims shops generate many thousands of pounds of income for the charity that provides end-of-life care for the people of east Kent. More that 2,400 people are cared for each year, either in their own homes, within the hospices in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet or as part of Pilgrims Wellbeing Programme.The people who generously donate or purchase in our stores are truly making a difference for those who need Pilgrims help the most.
Charity calendar sells out for second year running
Over the past two years, two local residents from Bridge, Sharon Arnold and Amanda Hills have worked tirelessly to create a calendar of the village. They asked local residents to send them photos of the village and surrounding areas. Over the past two years calendar sales have raised £1977.36 for Pilgrims Hospices.
Sharon Arnold said: “Amanda and myself decided to create a calendar for 2019, local residents who were keen to share their photos of Bridge were invited to contribute images.
“Once we had gained sponsorship from the Red Lion pub we then decided we would like to support Pilgrims with the proceeds of calendar sales.
“The hospices are an important part of our community, they have touched the lives of so many of our friends, neighbours and those within the wider community. This year we have been wonderfully supported by members of the village and would like to thank everyone for buying the calendars and helping us to help even more people who need end of life care.
“A huge thank you to Ralph Lombart, Marie Lockley and everyone who kindly donated.”
Jo Harris, Community Fundraiser for Pilgrims Hospices Canterbury said: “We are so very grateful for the continued support from the sales of the Bridge calendar. It’s wonderful to see residents and local businesses pulling together to make the calendar a success and supporting Pilgrims so generously. The amazing donation will help Pilgrims to continue being there for patients and their families, when and where they need us.”
If you are feeling inspired by Amanda and Sharon’s fundraising story and feel that you would like to organise a fundraising event in your local area, please email [email protected] for more information.
Pilgrims Hospices cares for more than 2,400 local people each year, free of charge, during the most challenging time in their lives. They offer care and support in people’s own homes, in the community and in their inpatient units as well as running a 24-hour advice line.
The Ship Centurion sails in with 10K charity cheque
The Ship Centurion pub, on Whitstable High Street has been raising funds for Pilgrims Hospices. Landlord Roland Burks recently presented the hospice with an amazing cheque for £10,000, generously donated by his customers and staff over the past 18 months.
The traditional German pub has a long history stretching back to 1750; its well-established group of regular customers and staff were asked to nominate a local charity to support and, Pilgrims won by clear majority.
Visitors to the pub have been taking part in Sunday meat raffles, with a chance to win a selection of prizes from local vendor Jim’s Family Butchers. They’ve been busy pub quizzing, guessing the lottery bonus ball, taking part in a wide variety of raffles and activities throughout the year not to mention the sales of the locally famous Armin Arse rippers! (Spicy pickled eggs and onions).
We wish to say a huge thank you to Roland, his staff and customers.
Jo Harris, Community Fundraising Officer
Landlord Roland said: “Pilgrims Hospices was clearly the favourite local charity to support. Many of my customers have been touched by Pilgrims care, they speak so highly of the care and support received by loved ones and their families.
“We are delighted to have raised such a large total, our pub has a well-established group of regulars and we are very proud to nurture a real sense of community.”
Jo Harris, Pilgrims Canterbury Community Fundraising Officer said: “We wish to say a huge thank you to Roland, his staff and customers at the Ship Centurion for choosing to support Pilgrims Hospices.
“It is lovely to see the community supporting Pilgrims so generously, this will help us continue being there for patients and their families, when and where they need us.”
If you are feeling inspired by the Ship Centurion and would like to find out more information about the many ways you could support Pilgrims Hospices, please contact [email protected].
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.
Chris Laming from Westbrook near Margate will take on her fifth Firewalk for Pilgrims Hospices on Friday 13 March 2020 in Canterbury. After completing her first Firewalk in 2016, she became hooked; each walk leaves her feeling inspired and proud to support her local hospice charity.
Chris, who works as an administrator at the University of Kent in Canterbury and is also a qualified counsellor, chooses to support Pilgrims for a very personal reason:
“A close family friend was cared for by Pilgrims four years ago, and I was incredibly moved to hear his family speak so highly of the dignified and compassionate care both he and they received in his final days, and the comfort that brought them in the depth of their loss. As a counsellor, I see clients whose grief and loss has become complex and traumatic, often because the practical and emotional support they needed at the time simply wasn’t possible. But significantly, too, we simply don’t talk openly enough about death and bereavement; so misconception and fear prevent us from making the most of the time we have left.”
Although I’ve done firewalking before, I know that when I’m standing at the start of that runway and it’s my turn next, it’s going to be just as much of a challenge as it was the first time around. But the whole experience and sense of achievement is totally exhilarating – you’ll never regret it.”
Chris
Chris heard about the charity’s Firewalk event and felt inspired to challenge herself whilst giving back at the same time – and she hasn’t looked back since. She said:
“I can’t lie, I’m now totally hooked! From that very first walk I’ve been like ‘a moth to the flame’ so to speak, taking part every year and feeling just as inspired and proud of what I’m achieving, both personally and for Pilgrims, with every single walk. The camaraderie and mutual support from other participants on the night is absolutely incredible; it’s an awesome experience and a totally unique challenge.
“I’m also fortunate to have an amazingly supportive family and close friends who always get behind me, and though I haven’t convinced many of them to join me yet, they are always encouraging and incredibly generous with their sponsorship.”
Driven by a belief that better end-of-life care is possible for everyone, and that dying should be talked about more openly, Chris hopes that her fundraising will help families to feel informed and empowered in the time they have left together.
She added: “It’s my passionate belief that holistic services that support the needs of people facing terminal and life-limiting conditions (and their families, carers and friends) are an absolute necessity. Pilgrims helps to make all these things possible, but without support from local communities these invaluable services wouldn’t exist. If we want them to continue then we have to do something about it, and that’s where people like myself can make a real difference.
“The fact that this is my fifth Pilgrims Firewalk and I haven’t spontaneously combusted yet might just be encouragement and reassurance enough for those teetering on the brink of registering! Life is far too short not to take chances or step out of your comfort zone. Although I’ve done firewalking before, I know that when I’m standing at the start of that runway and it’s my turn next, it’s going to be just as much of a challenge as it was the first time around. But the whole experience and sense of achievement is totally exhilarating – you’ll never regret it.”
Feeling inspired to follow in Chris’ footsteps and face the flames?
Firewalk returns on 13 March in Canterbury and 14 March in Ashford.
Visit pilgrimshospices.org/firewalk to sign up now to dash across red hot embers and achieve the impossible. Advance entry is £20, available until 8 March 2020. You can also sign up on the night. Entry includes training seminar, firewalking experience and certificate.
