23rd July 2019

    Garden planters make blooming good therapy

    A generous donation from a garden centre has made a hands-on project for patients at Pilgrims Hospice Ashford. The care team provides a variety of wellbeing sessions, ideal for helping service users to remain active and independent.


    Leanne Clark, Pilgrims Hospices Wellbeing Practitioner, approached Longacres Garden Centre for a donation of planters to create an engaging project for some of the gentlemen group members. She said: “I was delighted to receive a message from Claire Wilkes, Charities and Events Co-Ordinator at Longacres head office, offering 11 planters for our creative groups.

    “The aim was for anyone green-fingered in our Time to Create or Living Well Group to decorate one and we would help them to fill with plants. They are welcome to take the planters home or leave them to be part of the patio display outside the Therapy Centre for everyone to enjoy.”

    You can see some of the beautiful handy work if you visit Pilgrims Hospices Summer Garden Party being held in the Ashford hospice gardens on Saturday 3 August, 11 am – 4 pm.

    This year, as well as all the many traditional tombolas and fair games for all the family, there will be some fantastic perfume and other bargains to be had on the Pilgrims marketplace stall, as well, of course, as delicious savouries and homemade cakes in the vintage style refreshments tent.


    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 click here to read about our Wellbeing Programme.

    27th June 2019

    Sylvia’s charity challenge

    Pilgrims Hospices supporter Sylvia Pilot has set herself a challenge to sell the most Grand Draw raffle tickets for Pilgrims Hospices Ashford Summer Garden Party.

    Every ticket sold will raise vital funds for end-of-life care in her hometown of Ashford. So far she’s sold over £120 of tickets and is still selling.


    Sylvia said: “I love to support local charities, I’ve run, walked and undertaken many challenges over the years in order to raise funds for deserving causes.

    Pilgrims Hospices is very special to many of us who have some personal experience of their care.

    Sylvia

    “I decided to do something quite different on this occasion.

    “Pilgrims Hospices is very special to so many of us who have some personal experience of their care, whether it’s through our family or friends.

    “People are always very generous when they know they are supporting such a good cause and the Grand Draw prizes are brilliant; who can resist taking part?”

    Rachael Edmed, Pilgrims Community Fundraising Officer, said: “Sylvia is doing a marvellous job, she’s so much fun and really enthusiastic, I’m sure she’s going to be a wonderful champion for our Summer Garden Party Grand Draw.”

    Sylvia, who is retired, has acres of fundraising experience and as an active member of Tesco Retired Community Club, Dymchurch School, a local darts club, British Legion and Tuesdays Club, she’s a busy lady.

    “The price of a Grand Draw raffle ticket is just £1 and can be purchased at the Ashford hospice reception or on the day. We’ve been generously donated an iPad (128GB) by Alan Maker Electrical Services and four tickets with travel to Harry Potter London Studio Tour by Crosskeys Travel. There are some amazing prizes to be won including two annual memberships to Ashford Picturehouse along with so many more.” Rachael added.

    The annual event raises vital funds for local hospice care and offers Pilgrims Hospices an opportunity to showcase its beautiful gardens, which are maintained wholly by the volunteer gardening team who are passionate about the plants and gardens that are used by patients and their family and friends.

    The Ashford Summer Garden Party takes place on Saturday 3 August, 11am-4pm, in the gardens of Pilgrims Hospice Ashford, Hythe Road, Willesborough, Ashford TN24 0NE. It’s free to come and along and donations are welcome. A park and ride service will also be available.

    There will be a wide range of stalls, games and activities for the whole family. From plants, luxury crafts and handmade cakes to hot food, live music, tombolas and children’s games.


    Pilgrims Hospices cares for more than 2,400 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.

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