Our fundraising activities and your generosity mean that we’re able to continue to offer our end-of-life services to our local communities when and where they need it. With your help and support, we intend to continually develop, and improve, our services so that we are still here, still caring, both now and in the future.
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.
25th September 2025
Bring care home this Christmas with Pilgrims Hospices Superdraw
Christmas is a time to be at home with loved ones – and thanks to Pilgrims Hospices’ Christmas Superdraw, you can help make those moments possible for families across east Kent.
Every ticket you buy supports Pilgrims’ community and Hospice at Home teams, who care for more than 1,000 patients at any given time.
Working from bases in Canterbury, Thanet, and Ashford, our nurses and specialists bring expert care right to people’s doorsteps. For many patients, being able to stay in the place they love most – their own home – makes all the difference.
Did you know?Most Pilgrims patients are cared for at home, not on the ward.
Our teams provide much more than medical care – from symptom management to emotional, spiritual, and family support – helping people live well, with dignity, and surrounded by those they love.
A Hospice at Home nurse explains:
“This year, we’ve cared for patients as young as their 20s right up to 102 years old. We can’t change what’s happening, but we can make sure every moment counts – that patients are comfortable, pain is controlled, and families feel supported.”
By taking part in the Superdraw, you’ll be helping to fund this vital care:
A book of 12 tickets (£12) could help buy essential nursing equipment for home visits.
Two books (£24) could help cover the cost of a community nurse visit.
Three books (£36) could help provide care in the final 72 hours of life, when families need it most.
And it’s not just about giving – it’s about winning, too! This year’s top prizes are:
Closing date for entries: Thursday 4 December 2025
Superdraw takes place: Thursday 11 December 2025
This Christmas, your Superdraw ticket could be the one that wins big – but it will certainly be the one that helps bring care home.
Make Christmas special – Play, win, care.
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.
Pilgrims Hospice Ashford hospice family lounge benefits from refurbishment
The family lounges at Pilgrims Hospices sites provide a space for patients and their friends and family to spend time away from their bedside, in a calm and relaxing environment.
Kitchen area in the refurbished Ashford hospice lounge
With the support of a number of Trusts, businesses and community groups, we were able to completely update the Ashford lounge space so it can be enjoyed by patients and their loved ones.
Before the renovation, the room was dark and had little natural light, the furniture was tired and the decor needed a refresh.
The lounge is now a comfortable and welcoming space, which can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.
Thank you for the kind support of:
B&Q Foundation
Green Hall Foundation
The Community of the Presentation Trust
BOB Connections, Canterbury
Ashford Invicta Masons
Mould made with hand casting kit
Amazon Wish List
The Pilgrims Amazon Wish List has been carefully put together by staff from all departments across our three hospice sites, containing items that will help us to deliver our services. From arts and crafts used in Time to Create sessions, to hand casting kits used in memory-making activities, your donation will help us to support patients and their families.
Sustainable giving
The business community across east Kent support Pilgrims in many ways, from charity of the year partnerships to organising events to raise funds. In 2025, Pilgrims has been generously supported by the team from Folkestone-based construction company, AW Group, who has donated hundreds of pounds worth of materials, which would otherwise go to waste.
We’ve received timber to help revamp our nurses station, strip lighting and glass panels to be used in our retail shops, and much more. Most recently, our maintenance team at the Canterbury hospice were able to construct a lockable store room from donated timber and a new flooring from vinyl tiles.
Thank you to the team at AW Group, who have chosen to support Pilgrims as their charity of the year for 2025. They recently raised £5,255 by cycling from Folkestone to Paris and taking part in the Pilgrims Way Challenge.
AW Group
If your business would like to support Pilgrims Hospices, please contact Leila from our corporate partnerships team to find out more:
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.
24th September 2025
Michael: “Pilgrims care makes me feel at ease”
Michael Taylor was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2015. Initially given a 5-year prognosis, he exceeded this, and continues to live well at home in Herne Bay with support from Pilgrims Hospices.
Born in Bromley, Michael was raised by his mother, Winifred, and many doting aunts and uncles. His father, John James Taylor, was a firefighter, but sadly died aged 28, when Michael was just three days old.
After marrying his wife, Brenda, the couple moved to Faversham and started their own family, welcoming three children – Helen, Paul, who sadly died of cot death aged 14 months, and Rachel – and now have five grandchildren.
Michael and Brenda on their 50th wedding anniversary
Michael was referred to Pilgrims in 2021 and attended Time to Create, therapeutic art groups that run at the Therapy Centres on each hospice site, offering relief from the challenges of living with a terminal illness. By then, Brenda had Alzheimer’s disease, but she was able to accompany Michael to the groups.
Michael said: “The Pilgrims team was extremely good; they sat and chatted with Brenda while I got on and did my own thing. I enjoyed it very much.
“The food was so lovely too, beautiful! Especially the cheese omelettes. We attended Time to Create for quite a long time, but it eventually got too much for Brenda, so I stopped for a few years.”
Michael enjoyed a long career as an architectural technician. Initially working in London and Kent, he eventually ran his own practice – Rowlett and Taylor – in Broadstairs with his colleague, Malcolm. He continued to draw, paint and build models into his retirement, so Time to Create appealed to his natural artistic flair. He credits Pilgrims with getting him back into his creative hobbies:
“After Brenda went into a nursing home, I had a phone call from Elizabeth in the Pilgrims Wellbeing team asking if I’d like to re-join Time to Create.
“Pilgrims provided a taxi for me, which was amazing. I hadn’t done any art or drawing, hadn’t touched a paintbrush or pencil or anything, in those two years since I’d stopped going. That phone call from Elizabeth got me right back into it; making art at Pilgrims again got me completely turned around.
“I’m a bit of a loner, so I had just been sitting in a chair for two years doing absolutely nothing, and now I can’t stop painting and drawing!”
Michael Taylor Artwork 5
Michael Taylor Artwork 6
Michael’s artwork
Michael has been so well supported that he no longer feels he needs to attend the hospice Wellbeing groups, as Pilgrims has helped enable him to live comfortably at home. He does his own cooking, and has carers and a cleaner for extra support. He also enjoys visits from his children and grandchildren.
Michael now plans to attend his local Age UK group, which meets on Tuesdays, offering the chance to socialise with others and enjoy lunch together.
Michael continues to paint and draw, which is helping him to live as well and independently as possible. He recently sketched Herne Bay train station for his local model railway club, and is also a talented pianist; a church organist for 60 years, he now plays for his own pleasure.
Michael Taylor Artwork 7
Michael Taylor Artwork 3
Michael Taylor Artwork 2
Michael Taylor Artwork 1
Michael’s artwork
Although Michael doesn’t feel he needs Pilgrims at the moment, he knows he can access their support in the future:
“I’m not worried about death (can’t say I’m looking forward to it or wishing it was tomorrow!), but it doesn’t bother me because I have a strong Christian faith. I feel at ease, because if my health deteriorates, I can contact the hospice and go back into their care. Everybody I’ve met at Pilgrims is so kind – from the receptionists, to the catering and care teams, and everyone in between. They always make the time to sit and talk to me, even if they’re rushed off their feet.
“I would say to anybody who is in my situation – who is lonely and has lost interest – to ask Pilgrims about their Wellbeing groups, because I have found them really worthwhile. They get you out of yourself, and I’m so grateful to Pilgrims for inviting me to get involved.”
For more information on Pilgrims Hospices’ Wellbeing Programme:
Call the Pilgrims Hospices Advice Line on 01233 504 133
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.
23rd September 2025
Dead Good Artists exhibition gives new life to local artwork
During January-April 2025, Pilgrims Hospices collaborated with The Wooden Box Gallery in Ramsgate to develop Dead Good Artists, an exhibition of artwork by people who have died, and the stories behind it.
This was part of Pilgrims’ Compassionate Communities project, working with local communities to encourage more open discussions about death, dying, loss and grief.
People often leave their creative work behind when they die. These legacies can bring comfort and joy to their loved ones. For others, the responsibility of taking care of these memories may not be so easy.
Elspeth Ogilvie’s artwork
Dead Good Artists invited anyone who has become a custodian of a loved one’s artwork to share it for inclusion in a gallery setting, giving it new life. It offered an opportunity to honour and share these personal creations, recognising the individuals behind them – those who are no longer with us.
Exhibitors were invited to attend one of two workshops facilitated by Pilgrims team members, where together they were encouraged to reflect on the profound responsibility of becoming the custodian of someone’s artistic legacy, exploring both the joys and challenges of preserving and carrying forward their creative spirit.
Mark and Jacky Ogilvie from Ashford submitted work by their daughter, Elspeth, who was cared for at Pilgrims Hospice Ashford and died in December 2024.
They said: “As Elspeth died very recently, this exhibition is helping us with grieving her loss. The simple acts of writing a short bio, choosing a photo, selecting and mounting her work, and taking it into the gallery, have been emotionally challenging. But it also feels helpful.
“Elspeth enjoyed participating in Time to Create therapeutic art groups at the Ashford hospice. She never thought her work was “good enough”, so it’s lovely to see it exhibited in the company of others’, and to hear that people are interested. It’s been so nice doing something positive in Elspeth’s memory; this is part of her legacy.”
Mark and Jacky Ogilvie with their daughter Elspeth’s artwork
Another exhibitor said:
“When I saw the callout for the exhibition, I immediately knew that I’d like to submit a piece of my grandfather’s art. He constantly drew and created out of nothing; he’d use the back of a cornflakes box or whatever was laying in the kitchen, and a real mix of media, to create these intricate pieces. It wasn’t as though he could earn his living through art, and it actually means quite a lot to the whole family that it’s now hanging on a gallery wall.”
Visitors enjoyed the exhibition, too: “Very moving. I would like to see this theme return; the accompanying texts are lovely and help the work to come alive.”
Artwork #5 Dead Good Artists
Artwork #6 Dead Good Artists
Artwork #3 Dead Good Artists
Artwork #4 Dead Good Artists
Artwork #2 Dead Good Artists
Artwork #1 Bookmark By Reginald Taylor Dead Good Artists
Some of the artwork featured in the exhibition
Rebekah Sunshine, owner of The Wooden Box Gallery, added:
“I knew it was something that was really needed, but I didn’t quite realise how it was going to impact people. It’s been amazing and moving. It was lovely to work with so many different people, hearing their family’s stories and bringing their loved ones back into our reality to talk about them. I’m so happy that lots of family members had the opportunity to have their loved ones’ artwork on the wall, especially as they may not have done that when they were alive – it’s a really proud moment for them. Pilgrims has been so supportive, especially with organising and facilitating the workshops for our exhibitors.”
Sophie Van Walwyk, Compassionate Communities lead at Pilgrims Hospices, said:
“The Dead Good Artists exhibition was such a wonderful way to celebrate the lives and works of so many talented individuals, who are sadly no longer with us. To help support exhibitors through their ongoing grief journey, Pilgrims created a safe space that encouraged reflection on both the beauty and burden of custodianship together. Learning more about the impact of both the artist’s life and death brought a deeper level of meaning to each piece of art.”
To find out more about Pilgrims Compassionate Communities work, or if you would like to become involved in creating a compassionate community in east Kent, please visit pilgrimshospices.org/compassionate-communities.
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.
22nd September 2025
Trees of Love: Jade’s story
Jade remembers her nan, Viv, and her mother and father-in-law through Pilgrims Hospices’ Trees of Love campaign, after they all received care from the charity in 2024.
Jade’s grandparents
My nan, Viv, was the heart of our family – a devoted wife to my Grandad Bill; a loving mum to Melissa and Alister, and a proud nan to myself, Grace and Jacob. She made every birthday special with homemade cakes, and every holiday memorable, whether it was a trip to Menorca or a week at Butlins.
Nan was a teaching assistant at a local school for over 30 years, and was so generous with her time to students and colleagues – always with kind words and on standby for a cuddle. She put her teaching knowledge to good use each evening when watching her favourite quiz shows, The Chase and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire!
When Nan was diagnosed with cancer, we required an extra helping hand at home. All of ours and Nan’s fears were put to ease when we were introduced to Pilgrims. She felt so comfortable, and at peace, with the Hospice at Home team. They managed to make her smile and giggle when some days felt darker than others.
My Grandad suffered a stroke in 2022, which left him bed-bound, and Nan’s nurses made sure that their beds were pushed together so they could fall asleep holding hands, just like they used to. It was those little things that brought a lot of comfort to them, and to us as a family. It was lovely to discover that she had been supporting Pilgrims with a monthly donation for many years, even before she needed their support.
Jade with her grandparents
Pilgrims’ care extended to us all; I received bereavement counselling to help me process my loss after Nan passed in September 2024.
From the reception volunteers to the counsellor I worked with, everyone was so unbelievably kind. It was when I was waiting for one of the sessions that I saw the leaflet for Trees of Love, and I knew I wanted to dedicate a dove in memory of my nan and for my mum and father-in-law who also sadly passed that year, with support from Pilgrims in their final days.
Participating in Trees of Love helped make our first Christmas without our loved ones feel that little bit more special. The service was so calming, which reminded me of my nan, and it was such a comfort to see our doves lit up on the tree.
Our family will forever be grateful to Pilgrims Hospices for everything; supporting such a great cause at such a special time of year makes it that extra bit more meaningful.
Pilgrims Hospices provides compassionate, specialist care free of charge to thousands of people in east Kent each year who are living with life-limiting conditions. Support is offered in patients’ homes, in the community, and at our three hospice sites in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford. We also run a 24-hour advice line.
