Chartham’s new Pilgrims Hospices shop is open – and already a hit!
Pilgrims Hospices’ brand-new Chartham Furniture, Fashion & Home store opened on Thursday, 12 February, and it didn’t take long for shoppers to fall in love. The vibrant, feel-good space raised £2914 on opening day alone, helping fund vital local hospice care.
This isn’t your usual pre-loved shop; it’s packed with hundreds of stylish finds, high-street brands, creative treasures, and unique homewares. From everyday essentials to statement pieces, there’s something for everyone, plus a creative hub for crafters, sewists, and up-cyclers hunting for inspiration.
Chartham Furniture Fashion and Homeware team
Andy Brady, Shop Manager, said:
“Shoppers have been telling us how excited they are about the new store and the fantastic stock. There’s a real buzz here, and knowing it supports hospice care makes every bargain feel even better.”
Mandy Hawkett, Area Manager, added:
“Our community told us they missed having a local Pilgrims shop, and now it’s back, bigger, brighter, and better than ever. It’s a must-visit for fashion, homewares, and creativity alike!”
With plenty of parking, a friendly volunteer team, and stock that’s constantly refreshed, the new Chartham store is designed for browsing, discovering, and feeling good about every purchase.
Drop in at Unit 2/3 Stour Business Park, Chartham, Monday to Saturday, 9am–4pm, to see what everyone’s talking about, and maybe find your next bargain! www.pilgrimshospices.org/shop-with-us
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.
17th February 2026
Zoo comes to hospice for Lorenzo’s 8th birthday
Pilgrims Hospices helped make one little boy’s birthday wish come true when a zoo experience was brought to his mum’s bedside.
Rosanna, who is receiving care at Pilgrims Hospices Canterbury, had hoped to take her son Lorenzo to the zoo for his 8th birthday on Sunday 15 February. Sadly, due to her poor health, a family day out wasn’t possible.
Instead, the hospice team decided to bring the zoo to them.
Lorenzo, his brother Luca (10), and cousin Mischa (2) gathered at the hospice alongside their dad Rob, grandparents Claire and Gero, aunties and uncles, and close family members from Herne Bay and Whitstable. The Pilgrims catering team prepared a lovely traditional birthday tea, complete with freshly made sandwiches, colourful jelly and cake, creating a warm and joyful party atmosphere. Lorenzo excitedly opened presents, including a cuddly dinosaur, Lego, and plenty of sweets, some of his favourite things.
To ensure Rosanna could be at the heart of the celebration, nurses carefully brought her bed into the hospice Therapy Centre, creating space for everyone to be together. After lunch, a special surprise arrived courtesy of Creepy Claws Animal Encounters in Teynham, who kindly volunteered their time to bring along a selection of fascinating creatures.
From reptiles to other “creepy crawlies,” the experience delighted the children, and Rosanna bravely joined in, holding the animals and sharing laughter with her family. Being able to take part together created precious memories at a time that matters most.
Rosanna’s husband Rob said:
“We can’t thank everyone enough for the special kindness we have been given here at Pilgrims. You have all been part of making Rosanna’s time here warm, comfortable, and peaceful, not just for her, but for all of us.”
Claire, Rosanna’s mum, added:
“Thank you all so much; we now have a really precious memory for the family to share.”
Hospice Services Manager, Sam Churchyard, reflected:
“It’s wonderful to help this lovely family share such a special moment. The team was determined to make the birthday truly memorable, and everyone pulled together to make it happen. We’re also incredibly grateful to Michael at Creepy Claws Animal Encounters for bringing along these fascinating creatures for the family to enjoy.”
Shirley Clark, marketing at Pilgrims, who photographed the day, said:
“It was a privilege to capture these moments for the family. Those natural smiles, the laughter, and the little in-between moments will become treasured memories for years to come.”
At Pilgrims Hospices, care extends beyond clinical support; it’s about helping families live well together, right to the end, and creating moments of joy when they’re needed most.
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.
13th February 2026
Make a Will Month returns – and it’s all about caring for the future
For 13 years, Make a Will Month has seen local solicitors kindly donate their time for a payment to Pilgrims Hospices, helping people make or update their Wills.
Over that time, the campaign has raised an incredible £234,704 to help Pilgrims continue caring for people facing life-limiting illness.
How does it work?
This April, tick something important off your list, and make a difference in your local community at the same time.
“We are incredibly grateful to the solicitors who give their time each year, ensuring people can access trusted legal advice, while helping Pilgrims be there for families when they need us most.”
– Ellie Cane, Individual Giving Manager
Why write your Will
Having an up to date Will gives peace of mind and protects the people you care about, whilst making it easier for your loved ones to follow your wishes when you’re gone. If you don’t have a valid Will, everything you own will be shared following certain rules, rather than according to your personal wishes.
“After people have made their Will, I find that it gives them peace of mind. They leave the office a lot happier than when they came in. A lot of people find it difficult to talk about death, but they often find the process is a lot easier than they expect.”
– Paula Patton, Partner at Boys & Maughan Solicitors
Many people also choose to leave a gift to charity – a lasting way to reflect the causes that matter most to you. Leaving a gift in your Will to Pilgrims Hospices isn’t required to take part in Make a Will Month, but if you choose to, you can help secure the future of hospice care.
Join us this April
By taking part in Make a Will Month 2026, you will help fund compassionate care for local people facing some of life’s toughest moments.
We are so thankful to everyone who chooses to take part, and to the amazing solicitors who make it possible.
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.
12th February 2026
April’s kind gift in her Will has touched the lives of so many, continuing her legacy of compassion
April was born on April 16, 1934, in Glasgow, Scotland, and passed away on December 16, 2023. She embarked on a remarkable journey in 1958 as a 24-year-old nurse, traveling from Glasgow to Ecuador, marking the beginning of a life filled with overseas adventures.
April
April was known for her practical, no-nonsense demeanour, characterised by thoughtfulness and kindness, which made her an independent woman capable of managing her family while her husband was often away. She was a dedicated nurse, midwife, and later a health visitor, and she volunteered extensively in various charities throughout her life.
April’s adventurous spirit led her to live in diverse places, including Ecuador, Libya, Abu Dhabi, and Aberdeen, adapting to each new environment with resilience and grace.
She was a devoted mother and grandmother, organising her family’s life with efficiency and care. April had a passion for bridge, enjoyed traveling, and was an excellent cook, always ensuring her family was well-fed.
Her life was marked by a strong sense of adventure, a commitment to helping others, and a love for her family. Despite the challenges of dementia in her later years, she remained a cherished figure in her family, remembered for her vibrant and varied life. April’s legacy is one of compassion, adventure, and a steadfast dedication to those she loved.
April didn’t have any direct experience of Pilgrims, however, as a trained nurse, midwife and later a health visitor, she was used to caring for people of all ages, and had some experience of hospices in other areas. After settling in Whitstable in the mid-1990s, she got to know of Pilgrims Hospices as a local charity and chose to support with a gift in her Will.
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.
11th February 2026
Andrew’s story: Love, loss and giving back to Pilgrims
Andrew Gillingham lives in Walmer, and was married to his wife Karen for 13 years.
Pilgrims had been there from the very beginning of their relationship, when his mother-in-law was cared for in the Thanet hospice, dying from oesophageal cancer in 2005.
In 2021, Karen received support from Pilgrims in her home, allowing her final two weeks to be in the place she loved, surrounded by the people she loved.
Karen
Their story is one of countless incredible memories, and of the breadth of care Pilgrims provides: from the home to the hospice, and from the patient to their loved ones.
“Karen was amazing.” Andrew says. “She was outgoing, bubbly and enjoyed walking our dogs in the countryside.”
Her true passion, however, was seeking out adventures a little further from home, loving nothing more than travelling abroad.
“I hadn’t travelled much, not before I met Karen. But just like her, I fell in love with it. For eight years, we travelled twice a year to a whole range of places – it was where all of our money went! But I could never regret it, you can’t put a price on memories.”
“Morocco was her favourite place, we travelled there in 2019 and loved it so much we’d booked to go again the following year. But with Covid restrictions, and Karen’s diagnosis, it was a trip we couldn’t make.”
In October 2020, Karen was diagnosed with lymphoma. She completed her treatment by the next February with the upmost bravery, and was given a 90% chance of recovery. But, her prognosis quickly began to change when her cancer developed into a brain tumour. Just two months later, she deteriorated and became paralysed from the neck down. Her condition was now terminal.
“Originally, I wasn’t allowed in the ambulance with Karen due to the restrictions surrounding coronavirus. But, because of the severity of her condition, we were allowed to travel together to University College London (UCL) Hospital. The very last time we were able to hug one another was in that ambulance.”
Karen spent three months in UCL, before being brought home with the assistance of Pilgrims Hospices in the final two weeks before she died. When she was transferred from the hospital to home, Karen asked: “Are were going on holiday now?”, a heart-warming reminder of the travels they took, so close to her heart.
Andrew remembers: “Karen’s doctors didn’t think she would survive the ambulance journey, let alone the two weeks she had at home. But as soon as she arrived, her spirits were lifted – she was singing, and all sorts!
Our bedroom was moved downstairs, our window to the outside world, and her bubbly, warm nature shone through right until the end. And one of her final requests? A cheeky tipple, a brandy!”
Karen died on 28 June 2021, with care from Pilgrims Andrew described as “nothing short of fantastic.” That care was extended to Karen’s loved ones too, through Pilgrims Stepping Stones Bereavement Support Services. Andrew attended counselling at the Thanet hospice, and joined the Bereavement Walking Groups, where he found comfort in connecting with people who had also lost a loved one.
Now, Andrew supports Pilgrims Hospices in Karen’s memory at the charity’s in memory appeals: Sunflower Memories and Trees of Love.
Andrew and Karen
“It’s my way of giving back so others can receive the same amazing care that we did. Most recently, I attended the Trees of Love service at the Thanet hospice with my step-daughter and granddaughter, so we could honour Karen during the festive season.”
Alongside Andrew’s personal support, his work has also got involved, too! In 2024, AEM Ltd (Ramsgate), one of Europe’s leading overhaul and repair facilities in the aerospace industry, selected Pilgrims Hospices as their Charity of the Year. Their staff fundraised through bake sales, colour runs, competitions and quizzes. Some of the team even took to the skies for an adrenaline-fuelled tandem skydive!
“I couldn’t quite bring myself to jump out of a plane, better them than me! But I was so proud that they chose to support Pilgrims partly in Karen’s memory. Altogether we raised an amazing £10,485.66.”
Before she died, Karen had one request of Andrew. She wanted him to continue going on holiday and to let her memory live on through their love of travel. It was a promise he kept. Andrew and his sister, Kim, travelled to Italy and Greece in 2022.
Andrew and Karen
“It was something I talked through with Sarah, one of Pilgrims counsellors. I wanted to honour Karen’s wishes in continuing to explore the world, but I knew it would be hard without her. Sarah told me that a love of travel was a gift that Karen had given to me. That always stuck with me.”
The following year, they returned to Morocco, staying in the same hotel he and Karen had.
“I needed to run Morocco past my sister first as the hotel was primarily meant for couples! But the staff were so great and remembered me from before. It was painful to go back without Karen, but I’m so glad I did. It was wonderful to share that with my sister, too, as like me, she hadn’t travelled much either.”
Five years on, Andrew says “I can’t say how much I miss Karen, I just can’t believe. It really does feel like no time has passed.”
“I want to share our story because I’m just so proud of my Karen. We spent many incredible years together full of unforgettable memories, but it was never quite long enough.”
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.
10th February 2026
Hannah takes on London Marathon for Pilgrims Hospices in memory of brother
Hannah Brazier from Herne Bay will run the London Marathon on 26 April 2026 in memory of her brother, Kyran, who was cared for by Pilgrims Hospices.
With more than £2,000 raised in sponsorship, Hannah is helping to ensure that other families can continue to benefit from local hospice care.
Hannah with her brother, Kyran
After receiving a Stage 4 bowel cancer diagnosis, Kyran spent his final week in Pilgrims’ care; he died at the Canterbury hospice in September 2024, aged 36.
Hannah said: “Our experience as a family was overwhelmingly positive. During Kyran’s stay at the hospice, staff and volunteers gave him exceptional care filled with comfort, dignity and compassion. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and every need was met with kindness, patience and warmth.
“Kyran took great joy in the delicious meals he was served, the friendly jokes he shared with everyone, and the massages that helped ease his pain.
“Knowing he was so well cared for brought our family a great sense of peace.”
Inspired to give back and to say thank you, Hannah signed up to run London Marathon 2026 for Pilgrims. With the support of family and friends, she has already raised over £2,000, and with a few months still to go until the big day, she hopes to raise even more:
“Running the London Marathon in Kyran’s memory is an honour, and a chance to give something back to the organisation that gave so much to us when we needed it most. Pilgrims offered compassion, dignity, and unwavering support during the most difficult time of our lives. They didn’t just care for my brother, they cared for our entire family. We were welcomed at any hour, day or night. Staff provided toys for Kyran’s children to play with during visits, and they made space for family meals in the shared dining area. To his children, the hospice became affectionately known as the “house-pital” because it felt like a second home.
“Through fundraising, I’d like to help ensure that everyone has access to dignified end-of-life care in a comfortable setting with excellent support. While many of us shy away from talking about dying, my experience showed me how vital it is that people are able to die with dignity, compassion, and comfort. I want to help make this level of care available to all families who may need it.”
Pilgrims Hospices charity places for London Marathon 2026 are full, but if you’ve been inspired by Hannah and would like to fundraise for Pilgrims, visit our events page or contact our Fundraising team to find out more:
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.
