The Rotary Club of Thanet support Pilgrims Hospices
The Rotary Club of Thanet are unable to meet at the Royal Temple Yacht Club for their regular Monday evenings, during the coronavirus lockdown. They have generously donated their weekly meal money to local charities who are being affected within the community.
Neal Elliott from the Rotary Club said: “We are donating £1,000 to Pilgrims Hospices who are short of funds due to the current crisis, along with donations to other charities.”
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager said: “With the charity facing challenging times, together with everyone in the UK due to the COVID-19 outbreak this generous donation of £1,000 couldn’t have come at a better time.
“The past few weeks have been unexpectedly difficult for Pilgrims Hospices. Sadly, we recently had to ask most of our incredible 1,500 volunteers to stay safely at home, close our shops, cancel or postpone many of our fundraising activities.
“Despite this, our vital work has not stopped. We still continue to provide compassionate care and support at our hospices and in the community to ensure our patients, their families and our staff are all remaining safe.
The charity has developed and implemented lots of changes to adapt and respond at this time for the community that needs its services. It has been creative about how it can continue to deliver services both within its inpatient units and to those it cares for and supports in the community by telephone and online facilities.
It costs £14 million per year to run the full range of Pilgrims clinical services. To do this, the charity relies heavily on the support and generosity of the local community. It has to raise 80% of the £14 million and these costs are generated through fundraising and donations. The coming months will be an extremely challenging time for Pilgrims and it remains positive, creative and innovative to aim to be there for the next family that needs its clinical care.
Karen added: “I would like to personally thank each and every one of you for thinking of Pilgrims Hospices in such difficult times; we are so very humbled and grateful.”
Please note: All photos featured were taken before the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are so many ways you can continue to support Pilgrims, even from your homes. Visit the Pilgrims website for some virtual challenges and become a #StayHomeHospiceHero, helping to make a difference from your home.
We need you more than ever; our local community means everything to us.
Thank you.
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 supports patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
24th April 2020
Supporters across east Kent get behind the 2.6 Challenge for Pilgrims
Thousands of fundraising events across the UK have been cancelled due to COVID-19, impacting charities like Pilgrims Hospices who are Still Here, Still Caring for patients and their families during these challenging times. One of the many events cancelled is the London Marathon, the world’s biggest annual one-day fundraiser. So, on Sunday 26 April, what would have been the date of London Marathon, charities across the country are asking their supporters to dream up their very own 2.6 Challenge to raise vital funds.
Supporters in east Kent have got behind the campaign to raise vital funds for hospice care.
Alan Dudney
Alan in his running gear
Alan, 86, was originally set to take on the London Marathon on Sunday 26 April in memory of his late wife, Daphne Dudney, who was cared for at the Canterbury hospice in September 2018. Alan is an extraordinary runner, with 2020 planning to be his 11 London Marathon! Not wanting Sunday 26 April to go unrecognised, Alan has chosen to take on a 2.6 Challenge to support Pilgrims during these challenging times. Alan will walk/jog around his garden in Herne for 2.6 hours for 10 days, totaling 26 hours of running.
The Hodges family
The Hodges family from Ashford have challenged themselves to a family relay-marathon on their at-home treadmill. The 26.2 miles will be spread between the family, with mum Kerry taking on 3 miles, 17-year-old twins, Jack and Kieran, doing 6 miles each, leaving running fanatic dad Steve to take on the final 11.2 miles. The Hodges family was inspired to support Pilgrims after Steve’s dad was cared for at the Ashford hospice. Steve’s mum is also a volunteer gardener at the hospice and has seen first-hand the impact that COVID-19 has had, not only on patients, families and staff but on its dedicated group of more than 1,500 volunteers.
Pilgrims’ board of directors will also showcase some secret skills. They’re taking on their the 2.6 Challenge in appreciation of the skilled and compassionate end-of-life care that the nurses, doctors and wider teams at Pilgrims are still delivering, every day, to some of the most vulnerable people in the east Kent community during the health crisis. The directors will take on a range of challenges, from Acting CEO Helen Bennett treading water for 2.6 minutes, to Dr Andrew Thorns, Director of Medicine, holding a difficult yoga shoulder stand for 2.6 minutes.
Pilgrims would like to say a big thank you to each and every person in the community who is taking on a 2.6 Challenge, a virtual fundraiser, and supporting local hospice care in any way they can. Pilgrims is Still Here, Still Caring for our local community. By using imagination and creativity to create a 2.6 Challenge, our local community is supporting us through these difficult times. We are so grateful for their help, in so many different ways, to ensure we can continue providing our expert, end-of-life care.
There are so many ways you can continue to support Pilgrims, even from your homes. Visit the Pilgrims website for some virtual challenges and become a #StayHomeHospiceHero, helping to make a difference from your home.
We need you more than ever; our local community means everything to us.
Thank you.
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 patient’s to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress. To offer these services charity must raise £11 million each year from the generous local community.
Pilgrims care team hope to capture ‘Matching Hearts’ for hospice patients
As visiting is currently restricted on Pilgrims Hospices sites across east Kent; the charity looks to find alternative ways to offer patients, their families and friends simple and creative ways to help everyone feel connected and to find heart-warming comfort during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Carole Lightfoot, Health Care Assistant at Pilgrims Hospices
The care team were so inspired by the successful campaign introduced by NHS intensive care nurse Kat Lamb from the QEQM Hospital in Margate, they decided to ask for support from volunteers and keen crafters to make ‘Matching Hearts’ for Pilgrims Hospices end of life care patients.
Justine Robinson, Pilgrims Occupational Therapy Lead said: “The ‘Matching Hearts’ are absolutely perfect for sharing with our patients, their families and friends. We are asking for your support to craft fabric or woolen ‘Matching Hearts’ for our care team to share with patients. One heart will be given to the patient and the matching one will be sent to their family.”
Although the hearts are no substitute for being surrounded by loved ones, Pilgrims hope these precious gestures will give patients something special to focus upon and help those who are unable to be close to forge an emotional link.”
Justine added: “The COVID-19 restrictions are difficult for our nurses as well and our patients, offering a token small heart to those in our care may bring a smile and perhaps help them share a few words of their own family magic with us, it will also help to lift our spirits in these difficult times.
The ‘Matching Hearts’ are absolutely perfect for sharing with our patients, their families and friends.
“We know there so many wonderful people out there who will want to support Pilgrims with their crafting skills. I send my thanks in advance and look forward to sharing your heart-warming treasures and the thoughts behind them.”
Hearts can be knitted; crocheted, embroidered, fabric or felt, and each heart should have at least one matching pair.
If you’d like to share your crafty skills and make ‘Matching Hearts’ for Pilgrims patients; you will need to pop them into plastic bags (sandwich bags) and clearly mark with the date of packaging. The hearts will be quarantined for 72 hours before they are given to the patient, to ensure any risk of infection is minimised.
A drop-off box for hearts will be outside each hospice from Monday 27 April, 8am – 4pm, or you can post them to the Hospice Service Manager on each site:
Hythe Road, Willesborough, Ashford TN24 0NE
56 London Road, Canterbury CT2 8JA
Ramsgate Road, Margate CT9 4AD
We are very proud to work closely with our NHS colleagues as we continue to provide end of life care across east Kent.
This year alone, Pilgrims Hospices has to raise £11 million through voluntary donations in order to run our services. Please help us to continue our work throughout these difficult times by donating to our Still Here, Still Caring appeal.
Shirley’s story: Why I’m leaving a gift to Pilgrims in my will
Shirley Johnston has experienced first-hand the vital support provided by Pilgrims Hospices to people across east Kent. Her mum and husband both received the charity’s compassionate care at the end of their lives; Shirley decided to give back by leaving a gift to Pilgrims in her will so that other families can continue to benefit from its services in the future.
My first experience of Pilgrims was in 1985 when my mum was cared for at the Canterbury hospice. Many years later my husband, Gordon, was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and had to undergo major surgery leaving him with a prognosis of 18 months. Despite this, he defied all odds by surviving another eight years! When his cancer eventually came back, I knew it was going to be painful for him so it was important for me that he received support from Pilgrims Hospices, just like my mum had.
It made such a difference, it was so important; Pilgrims became everything as it gave him a purpose and a reason to keep going.
Shirley
He attended the Pilgrims Therapy Centre in Ashford as an outpatient for over a year, getting support with his pain, breathlessness groups, and day therapy sessions. As his carer, I was offered neck and shoulder massages as part of a pamper day. It made such a difference, it was so important; Pilgrims became everything as it gave him a purpose and a reason to keep going. He used to say “I just live at half-mast these days” but would still head into the hospice to read the paper to a friend who had trouble with her sight. When he eventually came into Pilgrims in Ashford for his last few weeks it was so peaceful. As he would have wished he was surrounded by his family at the end.
As we’d spent so long coming to Pilgrims it was like being in a family and I was quite bereft without it after he’d gone. I attended a bereavement group and saw three ladies there that I’d met through the Therapy Centre when Gordon was alive. All our husbands had been patients and had died within four months of each other – so it was a real comfort for us to be able to support each other through such a difficult time. We became great friends and even now we all come back to the hospice once a month to meet up for lunch.
Leaving a gift in my will to the hospice is as important to me as it was to my husband. I could never have cared for either my husband or my mum in the way the hospice cared for them. I’m leaving a gift to the hospice to ensure that this incredible service continues to be here for future generations, for my children and grandchildren.
Shirley
After some time had passed I really wanted to fill the void of what I had lost, so I decided to volunteer as a gardener at the Ashford hospice. Every week, you will find me in the ‘wild’ garden pottering around with my friend, Sue, keeping the gardens a beautiful space for everyone to enjoy.
Gordon and I always spoke about wanting our money to be left to the hospice. When making my new will after I had spoken to my family, I split my estate six ways between my five children and Pilgrims.
Leaving a gift in my will to the hospice is as important to me as it was to my husband. I could never have cared for either my husband or my mum in the way the hospice cared for them. I’m leaving a gift to the hospice to ensure that this incredible service continues to be here for future generations, for my children and grandchildren.
By leaving a gift in your will to Pilgrims Hospices, you’ll help to ensure that each person in east Kent with an incurable illness receives the right care where and when they need it.
Please note: This story was written before the COVID-19 outbreak. For current information about all hospice services at the present time, including visiting our hospices and volunteering, please click here.
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 patient’s to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress. To offer these services charity must raise £11 million each year from the generous local community.
20th April 2020
Rob’s head shave raises over £790 for Pilgrims Hospices
Local estate agent branch manager, Robert Lear from Oakwood Homes continues to fundraise for his local Pilgrims Hospices charity in spite of the current lockdown conditions. Rob’s spontaneous head shave has raised over £790 for vital end of life care within the community.
The ‘brave shave’ took place earlier this month at Rob’s and his partner Rebecca’s home in Ramsgate. At the prospect of keeping his locks well-groomed during these difficult times, Rob decided a head shave would be a good option and an opportunity to raise some funds for Pilgrims Still Here, Still Caring campaign by asking friends, family and colleagues to sponsor his daring deed.
Pilgrims is a charity very close to my heart.
Rob Lear
Rob who turns 35 later this month said: “Pilgrims is a charity very close to my heart, I have known friends who have been cared for by the hospice and I wanted to show my appreciation for everything they do; they really do a great job.
Rob before his brave shave
“I would just like to thank everyone who supported me and donated towards this amazing charity. Pilgrims Hospices go above and beyond to help and care for our loved ones. I’m delighted with the amount raised from the head shave.
“Thank you everyone and, stay safe.”
Rob is a regular Pilgrims supporter and has taken on challenges that have included charity go karting and chest waxing in the past. During lockdown he’s busy doing lots of cooking with Rebecca and enjoying Bluebell; their 7-month-old golden retriever dog.
Karen Kenward, Pilgrims Thanet Community Fundraising Manager said: “We are most grateful for the incredible people like Rob who continue to fundraise for our charity while in lockdown. It means we can continue to provide support for those who need our care the most within the community.
“It costs £20 to provide each hour of nursing care; Rob and his supporters have helped provide just over 39 hours to the next person who needs us. Thank you to each and every one of you that made a donation to make this possible and, most of all thank you Rob for taking on this challenge.”
There are so many ways you can continue to support Pilgrims, even from your homes. Visit the Pilgrims website for some virtual challenges and become a #StayHomeHospiceHero and help to make a difference from your home.
We need you more than ever; our local community means everything to us.
Thank you.
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. To offer these services charity must raise £11 million each year from the generous local community.
14th April 2020
Kent Keep Fit Association present funds for Pilgrims
Kent Keep Fit Association (KFA) recently celebrated sixty diamond years, supporting Pilgrims Hospices throughout 2019 and onwards to 2020.
The Kent Keep Fit Association has been raising money for two much loved local charities throughout 2019; Pilgrims Hospices in east Kent and Ellenor Hospice in north and west Kent. They held their 60th AGM planned for 14 March and as the time grew nearer so did the fears over the coronavirus and whether the AGM should go ahead. After frantic communication between the executive committee and teachers, it was decided at the last minute to proceed but with the decision to attend solely down to individuals.
Approximately 120 people attended, and many comments were received to thank the committee for proceeding with what was a most enjoyable day, even with some added challenges to protect attendees with lots sanitising liquid and rubber gloves, as health and wellbeing was at the forefront of everyone’s minds.
The members have been raising funds for the local charities supporting end of life care in Kent and activities included sponsored walks, collections at the classes and other community initiatives.
The local groups together with the county and regional teams performed 10 wonderful routines with uplifting music which had the audience clapping along and singing.
June Bryant sent everyone home with a smile as she got everyone on the floor for a finale dance to Abba’s “Dancing Queen”. It was a very uplifting afternoon of fitness, friendship and fun (which sums up the KFA in a nutshell)!
Kate Duddell, Fundraising Manager for Pilgrims Hospices said: “It was a lovely afternoon, even practicing my own dancing skills when I joined in the finale of Dancing Queen. I can’t thank the Kent Keep Fit Association enough for choosing Pilgrims Hospices as one of their Charities of the Year in 2019 and I was even more thrilled to find out we will also be the same chosen charities for 2020. I’ll keep practicing my dancing for the next AGM.”
Kate added: “We would like to thank all those who have step by dancing step raised an incredible £1,500 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 community’s own events, such as these are vital to the work Pilgrims Hospices does across east Kent.”
Jackie Winder, Hon Secretary, Kent KFA, said: “Kent KFA were so lucky to be able to hold our AGM and we were very pleased to welcome Kate from Pilgrim’s Hospices and Melissa from Ellenor Hospice and be able to present our fundraising cheques to them. Kent KFA has a long tradition of raising money for charity and has chosen Pilgrims and Ellenor again for their annual charities. Our teachers and class members are an inspiration in their fundraising efforts and we sincerely hope that the sponsored walk, which is organised for July this year, can go ahead as planned. “
This year alone, Pilgrims Hospices has to raise £11 million through voluntary donations in order to run our full range of services. Sponsorship raised through events like these helps us to continue caring for local people at the end of their lives.
