Pilgrims’ care team get family together for Thanet 5k Colour Run

A local Thanet family with links to Pilgrims Hospices are supporting the Thanet 5k Colour Run on 21 October 2018. Lynda Craig (60), a Palliative Specialist Nurse, will cheer on family members who are taking part in the event, including her daughter, Natalie Sutton (31).

Lynda and Natalie, a Health Care Assistant, both work at the Thanet hospice.


Natalie will take part in the Thanet 5k Colour Run with her sister Ailsa Mace, niece Chloe Mace, aunt Carol Walkley and family friend Kendra Ryan. Lynda will join them on the day to support her family at the colourful, fun-filled event.

Lynda has worked for Pilgrims since May 2000, first on the Thanet ward then in recent years running clinics and visiting patients in the community. Natalie started working on the ward in May 2016. She said: “I get great satisfaction from being able to look after and care for our patients, whether that’s helping them with symptom control or providing end-of-life care on the ward.”

I get great satisfaction from being able to look after and care for our patients, whether that’s helping them with symptom control or providing end-of-life care on the ward.

Natalie Sutton, Health Care Assistant at Pilgrims

Lynda added: “I’ve had several close friends who have been cared for by Pilgrims, and I consider it a great privilege to have been able to care for them in the last weeks and days of their lives. It has brought new facets to my friendships; to sit and chat with a friend about death and dying, and their thoughts and wishes around it, has been a highlight of my career.

By taking on the Thanet 5k Colour Run and fundraising for local hospice care, the family hope to be able to support the valuable resources that Pilgrims offer and help people with life-limiting illness to live well in every moment.

On the day, Lynda will be joined by several family members and friends who will all cheer on Natalie and team during their run. The team will wear multi-coloured tutus in keeping with the vibrant, colourful event.

I’ve had several close friends who have been cared for by Pilgrims, and I consider it a great privilege to have been able to care for them in the last weeks and days of their lives.

Lynda Craig, Palliative Specialist Nurse at Pilgrims

Lynda said: “To me, Pilgrims means love and caring, where patients and their families can receive support to live well in the time they have left.

“Having worked for Pilgrims for more than 18 years now, I’ve seen many patients and their families helped via symptom control, benefit help, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and Therapy Centre groups; the list is endless. We want these services to continue for the people of east Kent, which is why our family is getting involved with the Thanet 5k Colour Run.”

You can sponsor Natalie and family by visiting their JustGiving page.

Want to get colourful for Pilgrims? Visit pilgrimshospices.org/colourrun to sign up now to dash through bright paint clouds and get covered in colour in aid of local hospice care. Entry is £20 for adults and £15 for under 11s.

All participants will receive a running number, white t-shirt, funky glasses and colour sachet on the day. Extra paint sachets will be available to purchase at the event, and you’ll receive a thank you medal from Pilgrims when you cross the finish line.


If you or someone you know is coping with a life limiting illness and you think you may benefit from Pilgrims support, talk to your GP or Healthcare Professional about the options or visit click here for information on the Wellbeing and Social Programme.