The gift of a cuddle can make all the difference

Pilgrims Hospices is asking people to share the love by giving a cuddle this Spring and making a small donation to their new Give a Cuddle appeal that launched in February.


Pilgrims is raising funds to provide each of its three hospices with a Cuddle Bed; these extra wide and adaptable hospital beds will enable patients to lie next to their loved one at the hospice, whether that’s husbands, wives, partners, children, grandchildren, grandparents or friends.

Kate White, Senior Nurse Manager, said: “Everyone loves a cuddle and cuddling is even more important to those families whose loved ones are ill. It’s been linked to reduced anxiety and the release of feel-good hormones, supporting pain relief and promoting better sleep.

Everyone loves a cuddle and cuddling is even more important to those families whose loved ones are ill.

Kate White, Senior Nurse Manager at Pilgrims Hospices

“Only this January, Tony, the husband of one our patients, Gill, had such kind words to say about the care his wife had received. He explained that his one wish was that he could have been able to share a cuddle with his beloved wife during her final days.”

Tony said: “Each evening as we fell asleep at the hospice, I held Gill’s hand between her bed and the chair I slept in, but it wasn’t the same as having a cuddle at home. To have those extra nights together cuddling would have been such a comfort to both of us.

“I’m so pleased to be able to support the Give a Cuddle campaign. Gill would simply love the thought of others benefitting from such special time with their loved ones, and I have truly realised the importance of having just one more cuddle.”

Each of the beds costs £10,500, and Pilgrims hope to secure local support for a Cuddle Bed on each of the hospice sites in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet.

We put the people using our services at the centre of all we do.

Sara Scriven, Individual Giving Manager at Pilgrims Hospices

Sara Scriven, former Individual Giving Manager, said: “We put the people using our services at the centre of all we do. We wrap our arms around the whole family as well as the person who is ill. Tony’s story has shown us how important it is for us to offer people using our wards a bed that’s big enough for two people to lay side by side; to make our dream a reality we need to raise £31,500 in total.”


Each year Pilgrims supports hundreds of local people coping with a life limiting illness, and their families. We offer a range of services: from end of life care given on our wards, to our Wellbeing and Social Programme supporting people after they are diagnosed to live well and stay independent.