Rowing, Riding and Running Fundraiser for local hospice care in lockdown
Rob Playford from Ashford set out to complete a charity challenge to raise vital funds for Pilgrims Hospices. Rob originally planned to a 50k run in May between the Ashford and Canterbury Pilgrims Hospices and then back again, in memory of his late Mother in Law Joan Capell, who was cared for at the Ashford Hospice.
But circumstances being as they are, Rob had to soon adapt his fundraising efforts with an interim event while he patiently waited to run his original goal. Rob decided to row, ride and run for the local hospice care.
It is amazing the drive you can find when you remind yourself why you are doing something
Rob Playford
Rob’s new idea, now called ‘Rob-athon’, began with a 1/2 marathon (21.1k) row in his garage, followed by a 30k bike ride and then to top it off, he then completed a 10k run, all back-to-back! Rob was spurred on in the final 3k by one of his team mates from Ashford Hockey Club.
Rob told us: “If someone had said to me 6 months ago you’ll be doing a 60K+ row, ride and run all in one go I would have fallen over laughing.
“But it is amazing the drive you can find when you remind yourself why you are doing something.
“It wasn’t easy but I just focused on the amazing support Pilgrims Hospices had given Joan, Sarah (my wife) and the family last year. The hospices do such an amazing job and I just wanted to show our appreciation.”
Louise Newman, Ashford Community Fundraising Manager said: “We would like to thank Rob for his ingenious Rob-athlon – row, ride, race idea and all those who have supported him to raise £1,750 and counting 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 £25 could pay for one hour of nursing care, either on our wards or in a patient’s own home, the funds raised through our communities own events during this challenging time, such as these, are vital to the work Pilgrims Hospices does across east Kent.”
Rob is still planning for his 50k run, but in the meantime he has managed to raise an incredible £1,750 so far and is well on his way to achieving his target. If you would still like to support him please donate here http://www.justgiving.com/Rob-Playford.
Pilgrims Hospices are still delivering compassionate end of life care to over 2,500 people in our community during this current health crisis, we are StillHere, StillCaring for people who need us in these challenging times.
There are so many ways that you can continue to support Pilgrims. Click here for some virtual fundraising ideas. If you would like to take on a challenge in support of Pilgrims we would love to hear from you. Please contact our fundraising team here.
We need you more than ever; our local community means everything to us.
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.
Hospice brings Sunflowers home
Pilgrims Hospices annual summer remembrance Sunflower Memories holds a special place in the hearts of many people across east Kent. Hundreds take part every year by dedicating a sunflower memory marker to their loved ones, and coming together in the hospice gardens in July to share memories and celebrate their loved ones lives.
This year, due to COVID-19, the hospice has been working hard to transform Sunflower Memories from a garden celebration to a remembrance which can be enjoyed from the comfort of home.
Sunflower memory markers are being sent to people at home, and the Individual Giving team are hard at work to prepare a very special film, which will be released on 25 July at 2pm.
We’re so excited to be working with Kerry King, freelance BBC filmmaker
Sara, Pilgrims
Sara Scriven, Individual Giving Manager said: “In a year when we’ve all been asked to stay at home, and many of us are self-isolating on our own, finding a way to support each other, and remember together, we felt was more important than ever.
We’re so excited to be working with Kerry King, freelance BBC filmmaker, to create our Sunflower Memories remembrance film. This virtual event will include many supporters sharing their stories, as well as a behind the scenes look at the extraordinary collaborative effort that helps bring Sunflower Memoriestogether each year. It will be a wonderful insight into the world of the hospice, as well as hearing from some of our staff about what it’s been like working throughout the pandemic.”
Sara adds: “At Pilgrims, we feel it is more important now than ever to come together and share in the memories of our loved ones, and this is why I’d like to take this opportunity to encourage everybody across east Kent, who has lost a loved one to take part, whether they’ve had a connection with the hospice or not. Sunflower Memories is a remembrance for everyone in east Kent. Now is the time to join together in celebration of our loved ones and remember.”
At Pilgrims, we feel it is more important now than ever to come together and share in the memories of our loved ones
Sara, Pilgrims
Pilgrims Hospices Sunflower Memories virtual event will be launched on Saturday 25 July at 2pm on their YouTube channel, website, and social media pages. For more information or to take part, visit www.pilgrimshospices.org/sunflower call 01227 782062, or email supporter.relations@pilgrimshospices.org.
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.
3rd July 2020
Thanet Sunrise Rotary Club annual Big Knit
The Thanet Sunrise Rotary Club’s generous £1,000 donation comes at a time when Pilgrims Hospices really needs the support of the community of east Kent. The money has been raised through the annual community ‘Rotary Big Knit’.
Caroline Winzer from Thanet Sunrise Rotary Club said: “Each year Thanet Sunrise Rotary Club organise a very special community event; the ‘Rotary Big Knit’ which takes place in April raising thousands of pounds in just one afternoon and attended by over 150 knitters.
“Four charities are nominated each year to benefit from this one event and Pilgrims Hospice, Thanet had been one of those charities this year.
“The Club were devastated to cancel the event due to the COVID-19 crisis, but a small handful of knitters still donated or knitted in isolation and collected almost £1000.
“This generosity together with other funds already raised during the previous months enabled the club to still donate £1000. Thanet Sunrise Rotary Club meet weekly for breakfast and are pictured here at their Christmas breakfast meeting” (photo taken prior to the Covid 19 outbreak in the UK).
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager for Pilgrims Hospice Thanet said: “Our charity is facing challenging times during the COVID-19 outbreak; the Rotary Club’s very generous donation of £1,000 couldn’t have come at a better time. The past few months have been unexpectedly difficult for Pilgrims Hospices, despite this our vital work has not stopped and 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.”
Pilgrims has launched the Still Here; Still Caring Appeal, where the local community and businesses are making donations to support the hospices whilst the normal fundraising activities are postponed. www.pilgrimshospices.org/still-caring
In order to keep the core of event supporters interested during these difficult times, the fundraising team has launched a new virtual campaign called #StayHomeHospiceHero. This is helping our team remain engaged with our wonderful local community and offers opportunities to continue to help us from home, such as a virtual hike around the Isle of Wight in July and a Virtual Pet Show.
Karen continued: “Our care team has developed and implemented lots of change to adapt and respond to our patients needs during lockdown, they continue to deliver end-of-life services both within our inpatient units and in the community by telephone and online facilities.”
If you would like to take on a challenge in support of our charity, please contact Karen Kenward call 01843 233934 or email: karen.kenward@pilgrimshospices.org or look at Pilgrims new virtual site for ideas.
We need you more than ever, thank you.
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 supports patient’s to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
Stepping it up for local hospice care
Gemma Letchford from Dover set herself a charity challenge to raise vital funds for Pilgrims Hospices. Pilgrims has very quickly become a charity close to Gemma’s heart after her Dad Johnny spent his final moments at Pilgrims in Canterbury in 2019. With the support of her family and friends she dedicated her latest challenge to her Dad, Nan and dear friend Colin.
Gemma’s love of walking played an important part in helping her to grieve for her Dad. For her and her family, Pilgrims in Canterbury quickly became their second home.
To help support the vital end of life care that Pilgrims delivers to over 2,500 patients living with a terminal illness and their families each year, Gemma pledged to walk 500km throughout the month of June.
“Everyone there was so kind and compassionate, we will forever be in their debt and helping to raise vital funds for this wonderful charity is a great way for us to give something back.”
Congratulations Gemma from everyone at Pilgrims Hospices!
Over the last year, Gemma has raised nearly £3,000 and through her latest challenge she exceeded her expectations and has raised over £800 which could pay for 32 hours of specialist nursing care in one of our inpatient units.
Gemma’s friends and family joined her for some of her walks including a very special walking buddy, her daughter Airlie who made her mum work even harder pushing her pram along the way!
Congratulations Gemma from everyone at Pilgrims Hospices!
Gemma has set up a Just Giving page to raise vital funds for Pilgrims Hospices. There is still time to show your support for her challenge here.
There are so many ways that you can continue to support Pilgrims. Click here for some virtual fundraising ideas.
If you would like to take on a challenge in support of Pilgrims we would love to hear from you. Please contact our fundraising team.
We need you more than ever; our local community means everything to us.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,500 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.
