17th January 2025

    New Pilgrims Hospices pop-up shop opens in Ashford

    Pilgrims Hospices is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its newest shop, Ashford Discount, located at Unit 38, County Square Shopping Centre in Ashford.

    The new shop will complement the existing Ashford General and Furniture shops, offering an even broader shopping experience for customers.


    Filled with quality clothing items priced under £5, shoppers can now snap up incredible bargains while supporting vital, compassionate care in the community and helping to reduce landfill waste at the same time. Additionally, students can enjoy a 10% discount on their purchases.

    The new discount pop-up shop features a wide array of donated clothing items, with many priced under £5.

    Sarah Lamberton, Pilgrims Retail Area Manager shared: “The shop will be brimming with bargains suitable for all ages and needs. Whether you’re looking to add some shirts or blouses to your work wardrobe, or searching for a budget-friendly party outfit, we invite you to come and explore our selection. There’s something for everyone!”

    Don’t miss the opportunity to visit Pilgrims Hospices’ new discount pop-up shop and discover fantastic deals on high-quality clothing items. Join us in supporting a great cause while enjoying great savings.

    Keep in touch!

    How you can support Pilgrims Hospices


    Each year, Pilgrims Hospices care for thousands of people across east Kent, with services provided from its three hospice sites in Ashford, Canterbury, and Thanet, as well as in patients’ own homes. It costs over £17.2 million annually to run these services, much of which comes from the generous support of the local community.

    16th January 2025

    Pilgrims Hospices’ Christmas Tree Recycling campaign raises record-breaking £78,465 for end-of-life care

    Pilgrims Hospices is delighted to announce the success of its recent Christmas Tree Recycling campaign, which took place over the weekend of January 10-12, 2025.

    The environmentally-friendly initiative saw more than 4,200 real Christmas trees collected from residents across Canterbury, Ashford, and Thanet, as well as from those who dropped off their trees at Faversham’s Macknade Food Hall.

    This year’s campaign was a record-breaker, raising an incredible £78,465 to support the charity’s vital end-of-life care services.


    The annual campaign has become a cherished tradition within the local community, combining environmental responsibility with charitable giving. Residents registered their real Christmas trees for collection in exchange for a donation, and a dedicated team of Pilgrims’ staff and volunteers ensured the trees were collected and recycled responsibly. The chippings from the recycled trees are used for composting and soil improvement, contributing to local agricultural efforts and within the hospices’ own grounds.

    Kate Duddell, Head of Fundraising at Pilgrims Hospices, expressed her gratitude: “We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support from the east Kent community. Collecting over 4,200 trees and raising £78,465 is a testament to the generosity of our supporters and the hard work of our dedicated volunteers. These funds are crucial in helping us provide compassionate end-of-life care to those who need it most.”

    The success of this campaign would not have been possible without the support and collaboration of local councils, businesses, tree chippers, and an army of volunteers who donated their time, vehicles, and expertise to ensure the thousands of Christmas trees were chipped and recycled.

    “Our thanks also go to our campaign partners; Kent County Council and all the staff at the Ashford Recycling Centre. A very special thanks goes to Ashford Borough Council for their years of dedicated support, along with Canterbury City Council and Thanet District Council. We are also grateful to the many businesses and organisations that supported the event by donating vans, crews, and time to help us with this initiative.”

    They include:

    • Kent County Council
    • Ashford Borough Council
    • Canterbury City Council
    • Thanet District Council
    • Macknade
    • Pneuma Church
    • A Bird Tree Surgery
    • AW Construction
    • Bourne to Garden
    • Bruks Tree Surgery
    • Countrystyle
    • CS Heating and Plumbing
    • Earle’s Landscapes
    • Endeavourcom
    • D Parr Tree Surgeons
    • Dave Lowe
    • David Glew & Sons Garden Maintenance
    • Furley Page Solicitors
    • Givaudan
    • Goodwins Hot Tubs
    • Injection Development
    • Jenner
    • Kenhire
    • Langham Kitchens
    • Lenleys
    • LS Marketing
    • Let’s Clean For You
    • MW Cave Ltd
    • New Perspective Digital
    • NRS Healthcare
    • Old Dairy Taproom
    • Practical Van Hire
    • PSR Lighting
    • Royal Mail
    • Select Plant Hire
    • Shadoxhurst Village Hall
    • Speech4Kids
    • Streetspace
    • St Lawrence College, Ramsgate
    • TJC Renewables
    • Vegas Kitchens
    • Waitrose
    • Walker Construction
    • WW Martin

    Pilgrims Hospices provide care and comfort to over 2,500 people in east Kent each year, supporting patients with incurable illnesses to live well until the end of life. Fundraising initiatives like the Christmas Tree Recycling campaign are essential to sustaining these services, ensuring that care remains free of charge for those who need it.

    How you can support Pilgrims Hospices


    Each year, Pilgrims Hospices care for thousands of people across east Kent, with services provided from its three hospice sites in Ashford, Canterbury, and Thanet, as well as in patients’ own homes. It costs over £17.2 million annually to run these services, much of which comes from the generous support of the local community.

    2nd January 2025

    Bed Appeal update: Thank you, you did it!

    Pilgrims Healthcare Assistants accepting the delivery of beds at the Canterbury hospice

    A huge, heartfelt thank you to everyone who kindly supported Pilgrims Hospices Bed Appeal, raising £166,853 to purchase 36 new specialist beds for our hospices in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford.

    Thank you for giving our patients a good night’s sleep.


    The response we received was nothing short of overwhelming, and we cannot thank you enough for helping us to reach this incredible goal. The widespread generosity shown by individuals, companies and trusts has ensured patients remain as comfortable as possible for those precious days spent in our hospices.

    These beds make such a meaningful difference in the lives of those we care for, and will prove vital in providing comfort and safety to the over 900 people that need them every year.

    Pilgrims Hospices’ journey began with just two beds at the Canterbury hospice in 1982, and our services have grown each and every year to meet the needs of the local community.

    Our growth has only been possible because of the kind and generous support we continue to receive from people like you. We simply couldn’t do it without you, thank you.

    It’s only possible for us to offer the much-needed care and comfort our patients deserve with these specialist beds. Thank you to everyone who has helped make this a reality, you really have made a world of difference.

    Laura and Sarah, Senior Ward Sisters

    The new beds make such a difference, and are particularly special as they are fully adjustable.

    • They have bedside controls, which patients, their families and Pilgrims staff can use to help find a comfortable position.
    • The beds can be lowered down to the floor, reducing the risk of falls for patients, and allowing Pilgrims nurses to work safely.
    • When paired with specialist floor mats, these beds can be made into doubles, so precious nights can be spent close together with family.
    • The side-rails can be lowered, or removed, to allow loved ones to cuddle one another.

    Have you supported the Bed Appeal? Find your name on the Wall of Fame!


    Thank you so much for your support

    Every generous donation from our amazing community of supporters helps to make sure we can be there for the next family who needs us.

    If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a life limiting illness, find out about the full range of services Pilgrims can offer.


    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.

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