After a hugely successful 10-week public trail around the borough, Ashford’s amazing Snowdog and Snowpup sculptures raised a staggering £142,000 on Monday 3 December at the Gala Auction evening.
In a final farewell (following the success of the Farewell Weekend held at the Julie Rose Stadium on December 1 and 2), a glamorous gala auction was held at Ashford International Hotel, with celebrity TV auctioneer and hosts Michael Hogben and Alison Chapman at the helm as local businesses and residents clamoured for their favourite dog.
A flurry of bids for the popular pooches pushed the grand total raised to over £142,000, which will provide vital funding for Pilgrims Hospices, contributing to the wonderful work they do in the Kent community.
Mr. Doodle’s Doodle Dog sold for the highest bid of the night at £15,000 – with the man himself live doodling a picture that became part of the bidder’s prize. Bagdogg, another popular pooch, sold for £9,000; Snowbrador and 2 Tone Ska Dog both raised £5,200 each; Stripes fetched a fabulous £7,000; Harry Kanine sold for a bid of £6,200 and Noble Ash reached £5,500, just to name a few.
Snowdogs Discover Ashford was brought to the town over 10 weeks between September and November in a joint initiative by Wild in Art, Ashford Borough Council and Pilgrims Hospices, and the residents of Ashford and beyond truly embraced the magical event.
Based on the popular children’s story The Snowman and the Snowdog by Raymond Briggs, the Snowdog trail explored the themes of life, loss, fun, friendship, companionship, strength, and kindness – a story told at Pilgrims Hospices each day.
This has been an amazing journey for us, we’ve had the opportunity to work with so many wonderful people.
Cate Russell – Pilgrims Hospices Chief Executive
The Snowdog sculptures were designed by local artists and sponsored by local businesses, together with 19 Snowpups that have been designed and decorated by 19 local schools. These beautifully crafted giant sculptures have left a lasting impression on thousands of visitors who have ‘pawsed’ to admire them.
Cate Russell, Pilgrims Hospices Chief Executive, said: “This has been an amazing journey for us, we’ve had the opportunity to work with so many wonderful people.
“We are a community charity working hard to support local families; art in any form lifts the spirit and is so life-affirming; the fun and connection of the project really captures what life and love is all about.
“We have made many new friends and have had the opportunity to share the benefits of the work we do, so we know the legacy from this will live on.
“Thank you to everyone who supported us.”
Of the trail’s huge success, Cllr Mike Bennett, Portfolio holder for Culture at Ashford Borough Council, said: “Snowdogs Discover Ashford has been incredibly well received by the people of Ashford and beyond. The success of the trail has far outweighed anything we could have possibly imagined when the idea was initially brought to us. To see the community come together, bonding through art and interpreting the messages conveyed by the trail each week, was a truly wonderful experience and we’re thrilled that they have now raised so much money for such a worthy local cause.”
Each year Pilgrims supports hundreds of local people coping with a life-limiting illness and their families. The charity offers a range of services: from end of life care given on its wards to its Wellbeing and Social Programme supporting people after they are diagnosed, to live well and stay independent.
5th March 2018
Nan’s hospice care inspires siblings to take on the Ice Walk challenge
Sister and brother Lisa Harris from Peene near Folkestone and Richard Turner from Ashford are facing their own big freeze with an Ice Walk for Pilgrims Hospices on Saturday 9 March at The Towers School near Ashford.
So far, they’ve raised an amazing £450.00 in memory of their nan, June Fewins, who was cared for by Pilgrims in January 2018.
Richard said: “Nan was taken ill and spent some time in hospital before being moved to the hospice. She was reluctant to go at first as she wanted to be at home. She had lived in Ashford, in the same house, for about 60 years. This home became a meeting point for the whole family and you always knew that you could go to Nan’s house and bump into someone. She ruled the house with as much ferocity as love, and she loved to bake. She would always offer you a sweet or biscuit, whether you wanted one or not!”
For the first time in years I saw my nan smile. She wasn’t in pain, and although she wasn’t at home she described the hospice as a 5-star hotel.
June was diagnosed with incurable cancer at the age of 80 and began to need a greater level of care. She was admitted to Pilgrims Hospice Ashford and cared for on the ward.
The family called her room at the hospice ‘Nan’s house’ and at one point there were around 20 of her treasured family by her bedside. Richard and Lisa stayed with her for about two days, living in the hospice.
Richard said: “The staff were incredible and kept us comfortable, fed and watered and made sure we all had a place to sleep or at least a pillow or blanket for comfort.
“I knew of the hospice but had never experienced the extent of their care first-hand. I was surprised to learn that of the people who are cared for on Pilgrims wards, almost half come in for symptom management and are able to return home to continue living independently. There’s so much they can do to help people live, as well as caring for people at the end of life.”
When Richard first went to see his nan he says he was amazed by how spacious her room was, how comfortable she looked and how amazing the gardens looked out of her window. “For the first time in years I saw my nan smile,” he said. “She wasn’t in pain, and although she wasn’t at home she described the hospice as a 5-star hotel. Her last few days were like a holiday to her and she could say nothing but good things about the staff.
“Whatever she wanted for dinner was provided and, despite not drinking alcohol for years because of her medication, she enjoyed a whiskey every night. I find it hard to put into words what it was like seeing her and knowing that she was dying, but also seeing her so happy, so content and so relaxed.
“When Nan died, the staff were wonderful and offered such supportive words and told us how polite and nice she was and a pleasure to look after. I don’t think we could ever truly pay back the hospice for what they did for our nan but we wanted to do something to raise some money as a thank you, which is why we chose the Ice Walk.”
If you would like to support Richard and Lisa you can make a donation via their Just Giving page.
I don’t think we could ever truly pay back the hospice for what they did for our nan but we wanted to do something to raise some money as a thank you, which is why we chose the Ice Walk.
Robert Grew, Pilgrims Event Organiser, said: “This is such a lovely story. We really appreciate all that our wonderful supporters do in order for us to continue providing vital care for those who need it most.”
If you or someone you know is coping with a life limiting illness and you think you may benefit from Pilgrims free services, talk to your GP or Healthcare Professional about your options or click here to read about our Wellbeing and Social Programme.
26th May 2017
Laid-back dog Rodney makes friends at the hospice
Retired pharmaceutical industry worker and Pilgrims Hospices volunteer Martyn Ponting has owned dogs for years.
Then, when he was looking for a new way to give his time and energy to the hospice in Ashford, his canine friend Rodney gave him the perfect opportunity.
Rodney, a two-year-old black labrador, is now a regular visitor to Pilgrims Hospice Ashford. As a Pets As Therapy (PAT) dog, he enjoys his regular Wednesday social morning in Pilgrims Therapy Centre and also visits patients on the ward.
Martyn from Sellindge said: “My career in the pharmaceutical industry often took me to environments where PAT dogs attended. Knowing how special the service is and how uplifting seeing a friendly furry face can be for patients, I thought I’d enlist Rodney’s gentle skills.”
Rodney’s owner Martyn can often be found at Pilgrims Hospice Ashford, whether it’s as part of the volunteer gardening force that keeps the Ashford grounds in such beautiful condition or to bring along Rodney, the very much loved PAT dog for patients, families and of course Pilgrims staff to enjoy.
“Rodney is very well behaved and absolutely loves his time with everyone at the hospice. He was such a laid-back puppy, I thought he would be a perfect candidate to become a Pets As Therapy dog. His huge calm eyes and affectionate nature, I knew he had to come home with me.
Rodney’s a very gentle soul and thoroughly enjoys his visits to Pilgrims.
Martyn
Rodney often receives compliments from the care team; Pilgrims doctors say animals are often a great icebreaker and help with patient communication. Everyone seems to relax with Rodney in the room.
Martyn added: “Rodney’s a very gentle soul and thoroughly enjoys his visit to Pilgrims. There’s always time for a cuddle. His favourite treat is a smelly stinky old tennis ball; it’s definitely his favourite thing in life, along with a good swim. I really enjoy my visits to Pilgrims too. I meet such interesting people and enjoy their company. I bring Rodney along and he just works his way around the room to enjoy as many tummy rubs and ear tickles as he can.
I’m very proud of Rodney.
Martyn
Every hour and every minute of volunteering for Pilgrims Hospices is hugely valued and goes a long way for the people needing our care.
Our volunteers play a part in every aspect of life in our hospices: they offer support, skills, kindness, care and they raise money; they can be a friendly face helping in our shops and working on our receptions. By generously giving their time, volunteers support our staff as they work to provide the outstanding levels of care for which we are well known.
Volunteers’ Week is a chance to say thank you for the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK. It takes place 1-7 June every year and is an opportunity to celebrate volunteering in all its diversity.
We’re accredited by REVAMP, a quality mark for Volunteer Involving Organisations developed by Stronger Kent Communities, a leading provider of support for the voluntary sector in Kent.
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to thousands of people in east Kent who are coming to terms with an illness that sadly cannot be cured. The charity support patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
