17 August 2022

Pilgrims Hospices Summer Fair beats the heat!

Despite the sweltering heat, hundreds of people attended Pilgrims Hospices’ annual Summer Fair on Saturday 13 August 2022, held at The Farriers Arms in Mersham, and showed their support for the local hospice charity.


Although Mother Nature didn’t play ‘fair’ on the day, as temperatures soared, people of all ages travelled from miles around in the hopes of winning prizes and bagging bargains.

Hospice staff and volunteers manned over 30 stalls, featuring games including the famous Bottle Tombola, Tin Can Alley, Paper Plane Game and Pilgrims Putting, which was new this year.

The 2022 Summer Fair was kindly sponsored by estate agents Andrew & Co, who had their own fundraising game to help raise additional funds. Faversham Ices also kindly sold ice creams – which were unsurprisingly popular on the day – donated by Consort, so that 100% of the sales went to the hospice.

Many local companies showed their support and donated towards the Grand Draw. Lifeboat Lettings donated a TV, the Wooplack Inn, Warehorne kindly gave a night’s stay and dinner for two, and the Kent Cookery School donated an evening course for two.

Barry and Laura Ash as Superman and Wonder Woman

Magician Geoff Partner amazed the crowds with his magic tricks, and husband and wife duo Barry and Laura Ash wowed visitors as Superman and Wonder Woman.

Pilgrims Community Fundraising Manager for Ashford, Louise Newman, said: “We couldn’t be more grateful to all our supporters for going the extra mile and still volunteering or visiting on the day despite the extreme temperatures. As a local hospice, we are always so moved by the generosity of our communities. Whether people donated items or offered to lend a hand on the day, their kindness all adds up to make a huge difference for our patients.

Special thanks to Landlords Lindsey Best and John Hockley from The Farriers Arms who donated use of their field and supported the event from start to finish.

Over 70 volunteers joined forces before, during and after the event to ensure its success, and we are especially grateful for their ongoing support. On behalf of everyone who benefits from our services, may I say a huge thank you to all of the people who helped to make our Summer Fair possible.”

Check out a full set of event photos on the Pilgrims Hospices Facebook page.

Pilgrims’ next fundraising event is the Folkestone Downs Challenge, a 36km hiking event designed to showcase the very best of Kent’s spectacular south coast, which will be held on Saturday 3 September.

For more details and to sign up, visit: folkestonedownschallenge.org


Pilgrims Hospices cares for thousands of local people each year, free of charge, during the most challenging time in their lives. They offer care and support in people’s own homes, in the community and in their inpatient units as well as running a 24-hour advice line.