Supporters hot-foot it for Pilgrims Hospices this bonfire season!
Pilgrims Hospices sponsored Firewalk series returned for its sixth year over the bonfire season and saw almost 90 brave supporters face their fears to conquer the coals. The annual event challenges people to walk barefoot over red-hot wood embers measuring 800 degrees and raise much-needed funds for Pilgrims’ specialist, end-of-life care!
The daring dash took place in three locations across east Kent – in Ashford on 29 October, Canterbury on 30 October and Broadstairs on 6 November – and is expected to raise more than £12,000 for the local hospice charity with more sponsorship to follow.
A total of 932 Pilgrims supporters have taken on the ‘hottest, shortest sponsored walk in the world’ since 2016 to raise a staggering £210,358 for those living with an incurable illness in our community.
Robert Grew, Pilgrims Events Manager, said: “It was fantastic to see so many supporters, quite literally, stepping out of their comfort zone to brave the barefoot firewalk for Pilgrims Hospices. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and faced their fear to raise vital funds for the care of patients in our local community. You’ve followed in the toasted footsteps of more than 900 Pilgrims supporters before you and certainly earned your place in the Hall of Flame!”
Motivational speaker and firewalk specialist Cliff Mann, held a training seminar for participants before they stepped out to face the flames.
Cliff said: “Firewalking is a huge personal challenge, I’ve been teaching people the skills for more than 30 years now. It’s great to be back and empowering Pilgrims supporters to take on the hottest, shortest sponsored walk in the world. It’s always a great pleasure to help charities raise vital funds while helping people to achieve something truly life changing.”
Chris Laming Westbrook (Margate) 1
Robert added: “We’d like to thank our services team at the Ashford hospice for making it possible to hold our event in the hospice grounds; the University of Kent Sport for hosting us in Canterbury, and our latest venue for Firewalk, Thanet Wanderers Rugby Club at Broadstairs, for making us welcome and giving everyone a very special night to remember.
“Sponsorship money will continue to come in for some time yet, we will be able to announce a final figure around the festive season.”
There are some great challenges and events on Pilgrims Hospices website: pilgrimshospices.org/events. Why not take a look and help Pilgrims Hospices reach even more people who need our specialist care?
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.
9th November 2021
Charity Shop Gift Cards to help local hospices and the environment too!
Pilgrims Hospices is the first charity in the country to accept a new multi-retailer gift card that can be used exclusively in charity shops.
The Charity Shop Gift Card is backed by the Charity Retail Association (CRA), and will be sold and accepted in Pilgrims Hospices’ 30 shops, helping to raise valuable funds for end of life care for thousands of people in east Kent.
Tim Stewart, Pilgrims Hospices Retail and Business Development Manager, said: “Pilgrims are delighted to join the scheme right at the very beginning. We truly believe that the Charity Shop Gift Card will help generate much needed funds for the hospices and help introduce new people to charity shopping.”
As well as boosting charity funds, money spent by cardholders will have a positive effect on the environment by supporting the growing second-hand revolution, which is being led by the environmentally aware Gen Z and Millennials, and is reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.
Charity shops divert around 339,000 tonnes of textiles away from landfill or incineration every year, saving councils millions in annual waste disposal charges.
The gift cards themselves are recyclable and compostable.
The Charity Shop Gift Card has been developed by Gift Card CIC, a social enterprise, and gives regional and national charities that are members of the CRA their first opportunity to tap into the many billions of pounds gift card market.
More charities across the country will join the scheme in the coming weeks and months.
Local authorities and other support agencies can also choose to partner with the scheme and use pre-loaded gift cards to distribute the financial assistance they provide to individuals and families, which will then be spent in participating charity shops.
The Charity Shop Gift Card is a member of Social Enterprise UK, and the Gift Card and Voucher Association.
If you’re interested in becoming a member of Pilgrims’ retail volunteer workforce, find out more at:
People are inspired and motivated to support us for lots of reasons. Many of our volunteers have personal experience of the palliative care and support we offer to patients and their families; some have a special interest or skill that makes a valuable contribution to Pilgrims. Volunteering can also help you to gain new skills in an area you’ve always wanted to develop.
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.
5th November 2021
New online Christmas auction for Pilgrims Hospices
Pilgrims Hospices will be holding a new online auction this festive season to help raise money for hospice care across east Kent.
There are over 60 fantastic lots to bid on to help raise money for people facing a life limiting illness. There’s a huge selection of items on offer, including:
Overnight stays
Days out
Perfume
Hampers
Vouchers
Games
Ladies accessories
Gifts
Plus many more!
The auction will run for three weeks going live on Friday 12 November 2021 and will close on Friday 3 December 2021. Bidding couldn’t be more accessible or easier by going to: jumblebee.co.uk/pilgrimshospiceschristmasauction
Ashford Fundraising Manager, Louise Newman said: “It’s the perfect opportunity to buy Christmas presents for loved ones or treat yourself to something, knowing all the money raised will be helping us care for our patients and their families.”
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.
Trees of Love: Penny’s story
Penny Uhlendorf supports Trees of Love in memory of her parents, Dick and Ethné.
Here, she explains how Pilgrims Hospices helps her family to remember and give back.
My three sisters, Mary, Susie and Carol, my brother Andrew and I grew up near Canterbury with our parents, Dick and Ethné Thrush. Our father worked in Canterbury, and our mother was a homemaker: raising the five of us, breeding various dogs, tending chickens, and growing the most beautiful vegetable and flower gardens. Most of us have moved away, but two of my siblings still live in Kent, helping us keep our strong connection to the area.
Dick and Ethné
Despite our geographical distances, we all remained very close with our parents over the years. Our father died in June 2008, just a few weeks after celebrating our mother’s 90th birthday together. She then moved from their Canterbury flat to Littlebourne House, bravely soldiering on without her beloved husband of 69 years. When her health declined to the point where she needed hospitalisation, she was transferred to Pilgrims Hospices in June 2009, where she was given the very best of care.
From the skilled and compassionate staff, to the comfort-filled rooms, with handmade quilts on each bed; to the caring, thoughtful volunteers, my siblings and I could not have asked for a more peaceful and perfect place for our mother to spend her final ten days. On 30th June 2009, our mother joined our father exactly one year to the day that he passed, just as she had hoped and planned.
Trees of Love is one of several ways at Pilgrims Hospices in which I can tangibly memorialise my parents while supporting such a vital institution. Last year, it was very special to be able to participate in the Trees of Love online event by sharing a photo of our parents, and watching the video. I live in the United States, so although I took part remotely, participating in the Trees of Love and Sunflower Memories remembrances in memory of both of our parents is so important to me, and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to support such a very worthy cause. My parents are always in my heart, but these events bring them that much closer, and that means the world to me.
There will be no live service at our hospices this year. There will be a filmed service released on the Pilgrims Hospices YouTube channel at midday on Saturday 4 December, for you to enjoy before dropping in to find your dove.
We also offer indoor services with seating across our east Kent community:
Firmager, St Nicholas Church, New Romney, 3pm on Saturday 4 December 2021
All Souls Church, Cheriton, Folkestone, 5pm on Sunday 5 December 2021
St Peter and St Paul Church, River, Dover, 4pm on Sunday 12 December 2021
Barham Crematorium, Barham, 4.30pm on Tuesday 14 December 2021
Charing Crematorium, Charing, 4.30pm on Wednesday 15 December 2021
To dedicate a dove in memory of a loved one please visit pilgrimshospices.org/treesoflove or contact our Supporter Relations team:
You can also post a message and a photo in memory of your loved one on our online Trees of Love memory wall.
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.
4th November 2021
Tom’s memorial golf day continues to raise vital funds for hospice care
Tom Coker from Ramsgate held the ninth Graham Coker Memorial Golf Day at St. Augustine’s Golf Club, Cliffsend, Ramsgate, in August 2021, raising an incredible £4,000 for Pilgrims Hospices care.
Tom’s golf day was held in memory of his father, Graham.
For the last three or four years the money raised has been donated to Pilgrims, during that time, the event has raised an amazing £7,894 in support of local hospice care.
Tom said: “The Graham Coker Cup started after we sadly lost my dad in 2012. The idea to hold a memorial golf day was started by some of his friends who he played golf with at St. Augustine’s.
“In the first year, we had just 15 players; it’s grown from strength to strength, this year we had 103 golfers teeing off.”
Karen Kenward, Pilgrims Community Fundraising Manager said: “This really is a huge achievement by everyone who has supported the event from 2012 to 2021. Tom, his family, friends, supporters and the venue itself are so supportive of our charity, it’s really been lovely to see this event grow each year. Tom is already working on a date for next year.
This generous donation will enable us to help provide vital services for those who need our care in the future. Thank you from all of us at Pilgrims Hospices.”
We have all been affected one way or another and can’t tell you how much we appreciate Pilgrims Hospices. They really do the most amazing work and all my family and friends are more than happy to help as much as we can, we feel their services are invaluable to people when they’re at their lowest ebb.
Tom
Tom, who owns a local building and carpentry firm, said: “I would like to thank all the people who supported this special day. To all the players (new and old), the people who kindly donated prizes to the competition and raffle, and the staff at St. Augustine’s Golf Club for their help and support to organise this great day.”
As the event has grown, Tom has been able to add to the event with prizes for the top 10 players with the best individual score and a team game involving turns to finish the hole with a pink ball.
The top 3 teams with the best score and managing to get the pink ball back to the clubhouse without losing it also win prizes. With nearest to the pin and longest drive holes to keep the golfers challenged.
Tom added: “We had wonderful donations from friends and family including cash, drinks, jewellery and giant teddies. We even had a washing machine one year.
“The BBQ was ready for players when they got off the course, with all the meat kindly donated by Hogman’s our local butchers.
“After the golfers’ prize giving, we held the raffle for the wonderful donated prices, a pretty eventful and charitable day!
“We have all been affected one way or another and can’t tell you how much we appreciate Pilgrims Hospices. They really do the most amazing work and all my family and friends are more than happy to help as much as we can, we feel their services are invaluable to people when they’re at their lowest ebb.”
Pilgrims Hospices care for more than 2,500 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.
1st November 2021
Charity shop team are proud to be recognised with Civic Pride Award
The staff and volunteers at Pilgrims Hospices shop, on the High Street Ramsgate, have been awarded with a local Civic Pride Award from Thanet District Council.
Not only do they bring an important shopping solution to the local community whilst driving funds for local hospice care, they ensure the store boundaries are as well maintained as their store and its contents.
Alex Hancock, Pilgrims Retail Manager, said: “We are very proud to have been awarded the Civic Pride Award, we like our customers to feel that the Pilgrims store is truly part of the community shopping experience and that means everything from glancing into our windows as they pass by to browsing for a bargain inside.
Alex added: “The appearance of our shop is really important to my team, we make regular checks around our perimeters to keep the building weed and litter free, we wouldn’t want it any other way.”
The Ramsgate discount shop carries an extensive range of pre-loved ladies, gents and children’s clothing, along with furniture, electrical and household goods, books, games, DVDs and so much more. It’s difficult to leave the shop without a purchase!
Alex has been the shop manager for the past two and a half years, and faced the challenges of lock-down due to the Covid pandemic followed by the staged re-opening for shoppers.
We are very proud to have been awarded the Civic Pride Award, we like our customers to feel that the Pilgrims store is truly part of the community shopping experience
Alex, Retail Manager
“It was a tough time whilst our Pilgrims stores were closed, however, we took advantage of the time and refurbished a number of our shops and updated many others. It’s been wonderful to see people shopping again; about 20% of our customers are regulars, they know our names and we get to know what purchases they like to make.”
Holly Brankin, shop supervisor told us: “The shop is busy currently with winter stock, we have a fantastic range of jackets and coats all at bargain prices. It’s great to see the college students coming in to purchase their winter woollies, hats, scarfs and accessories. As people become more conscious of climate change and environmental issues, recycling and upcycling clothing is more important than ever. The students are embracing change and getting really creative in our shop with their styling. We are here to help them do just that!
“Our Christmas jumpers, party wear, gifts and decorations are selling fast, if you have items to donate to boost our stock, we would love to receive them.”
When asked what was the strangest donation received? Alex told us they had been donated a brand new bath tub, which was sold almost immediately!
The shop is busy currently with winter stock, we have a fantastic range of jackets and coats all at bargain prices.
Holly, Supervisor
“We are supported with donations from our wonderful local community, for which we would like to say a huge thank you, you are truly helping to make a difference to those people locally who need our help the most. There’s never a dull moment here, and I don’t need a gym membership, it really keeps me fit!” Alex added.
You can support Pilgrims Hospices this season by purchasing from a range of Christmas cards in store or by purchasing a Charity Shop Gift Card. Pilgrims is the first charity in the country to accept a new multi-retailer gift card that can be used exclusively in charity shops.
The Charity Shop Gift Card is backed by the Charity Retail Association (CRA), and is sold and accepted in Pilgrims Hospices’ 30 shops, helping to raise valuable funds for end of life care for thousands of people in east Kent.
As well as boosting charity funds, money spent by cardholders will have a positive effect on the environment by supporting the growing second-hand revolution.
If you have items that you would like to donate to Pilgrims Hospices shops, there’s a full list of shop details here.
Pictured above:
David Poole – Driver, Adrian Shale – Warehouse Operative, Norman – Volunteer, Holly Brankin – Supervisor, Alex Hancock – Retail Manager and Janet – Volunteer
Pilgrims Hospices’ 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.
