Folkestone Downs Challenge raises £33,000 for Pilgrims Hospices
Pilgrims Hospices extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who took part in the Folkestone Downs Challenge on Saturday 31 August 2024.
This year’s event was a tremendous success, bringing together hundreds of dedicated participants who walked the stunning 36-kilometre route across the picturesque Folkestone Downs. The day was filled with energy, camaraderie, and a shared commitment to supporting end-of-life care in our community.
Starting from the Folkestone Harbour Arm, supporters climbed Kent’s famous white cliffs, and enjoyed breath-taking views over the English channel, Folkestone and Romney Marsh. Walkers even spotted some exotic animals as they passed by Port Lympne Safari Park, before making their way along the canal paths and promenade of Hythe to return to the Folkestone Harbour finish line.
The event, now a beloved fixture in the fundraising calendar, saw walkers of all ages and abilities take on the challenging terrain of the Folkestone Downs. With perfect weather — neither too hot nor too sunny — participants were able to fully appreciate the breath-taking scenery while raising vital funds for Pilgrims Hospices.
Billy Williams, Pilgrims’ event organiser, expressed his gratitude, saying, “We were blessed with such wonderful walking weather — the very best conditions to enjoy such amazing scenery. The support we received from the community was overwhelming, and it’s thanks to our incredible participants and volunteers that this event continues to be such a success.”
This much-loved event has raised an impressive £33,000, all of which will provide compassionate end-of-life care for patients and their families across the area.
We would like to extend a special thank you to our volunteers, whose unwavering dedication and hard work behind the scenes made this event possible. Without their incredible support, we simply could not run the Folkestone Downs Challenge. Your commitment ensures that Pilgrims Hospices can continue to offer essential care to those in need.
Pilgrims Hospices is a charity dedicated to providing expert care and support to patients with life-limiting illnesses in east Kent. Our services ensure comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients and their families, offering compassionate care both in hospice settings and in the community.
3rd September 2024
Trees of Love: Jenny’s story
Jenny remembers her husband, Graham, by dedicating a dove in his memory at Pilgrims Hospices annual Trees of Love remembrance campaign.
My husband Graham was a kind and generous man, a nature and animal lover. He was particularly musical; he sang, played piano and performed the clarinet in several orchestras. We met at age 5 while attending the same primary school, but went our separate ways when we progressed to our respective grammar schools. It seems rather fitting, then, that we reunited at a German musical evening hosted by Graham’s school. We would go on to spend a wonderful 55 years together, with our children and grandchildren.
We were introduced to Pilgrims later on in Graham’s illness, around six months before he passed. He often found it difficult to put his thoughts into words, but when presented with the option of more treatment or intervention for his illness, he knew that was not the option for him. While our journey with Pilgrims has been rather short, they have been so very helpful. In times like these, you never quite know who to turn to, but the bereavement support we have been offered has been such a help. When you just want someone to listen, they just let us talk.
I was made aware of Trees of Love through a postal invitation that invited me to dedicate a dove in Graham’s memory. My granddaughter, Charlotte, has recently started art college, which has been such a creative outlet for her. She decorated her grandfather’s dove with a wonderful drawing depicting the owl and pussy cat in a tree, as she discovered he was particularly fond of the poem by Edward Lear. Out of sheer coincidence, my daughter revealed that the week her father had passed, she had found a greetings card depicting the ‘Owl and the Pussy Cat’ scene, too. This has brought our family closer together.
In 2023, I attended the remembrance service at the Thanet hospice. Although I attended alone, it was such a welcoming atmosphere for everyone. I struck up conversation with someone who was by themselves, and it was comforting to share the experience with someone who knew what I was going through.
The service was lovely, and I was happy to have the opportunity to capture a picture of Graham’s dove on the illuminated tree, and take my order of service home to share with my family.
Previously, I had volunteered for another hospice in one of their retail stores, so I had experience in the kind of care that a hospice provides. But having now received that support myself, I can recognise how fantastic they really are. I’m happy to support this wonderful charity in any way that I can.
This December, dedicate a dove to someone special and join us at one of our hospice or satellite remembrance services.
To find out more and to take part in Trees of Love 2024, simply visit pilgrimshospices.org/treesoflove or contact our friendly Supporter Relations team on 01227 782 062 to dedicate a dove today.
Pilgrims Hospices is a charity dedicated to providing expert care and support to patients with life-limiting illnesses in east Kent. Our services ensure comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients and their families, offering compassionate care both in hospice settings and in the community.
