Pilgrims Hospices helped make one little boy’s birthday wish come true when a zoo experience was brought to his mum’s bedside.
Rosanna, who is receiving care at Pilgrims Hospices Canterbury, had hoped to take her son Lorenzo to the zoo for his 8th birthday on Sunday 15 February. Sadly, due to her poor health, a family day out wasn’t possible.
Instead, the hospice team decided to bring the zoo to them.
Lorenzo, his brother Luca (10), and cousin Mischa (2) gathered at the hospice alongside their dad Rob, grandparents Claire and Gero, aunties and uncles, and close family members from Herne Bay and Whitstable. The Pilgrims catering team prepared a lovely traditional birthday tea, complete with freshly made sandwiches, colourful jelly and cake, creating a warm and joyful party atmosphere. Lorenzo excitedly opened presents, including a cuddly dinosaur, Lego, and plenty of sweets, some of his favourite things.
To ensure Rosanna could be at the heart of the celebration, nurses carefully brought her bed into the hospice Therapy Centre, creating space for everyone to be together. After lunch, a special surprise arrived courtesy of Creepy Claws Animal Encounters in Teynham, who kindly volunteered their time to bring along a selection of fascinating creatures.
From reptiles to other “creepy crawlies,” the experience delighted the children, and Rosanna bravely joined in, holding the animals and sharing laughter with her family. Being able to take part together created precious memories at a time that matters most.
Rosanna’s husband Rob said:
“We can’t thank everyone enough for the special kindness we have been given here at Pilgrims. You have all been part of making Rosanna’s time here warm, comfortable, and peaceful, not just for her, but for all of us.”
Claire, Rosanna’s mum, added:
“Thank you all so much; we now have a really precious memory for the family to share.”
Hospice Services Manager, Sam Churchyard, reflected:
“It’s wonderful to help this lovely family share such a special moment. The team was determined to make the birthday truly memorable, and everyone pulled together to make it happen. We’re also incredibly grateful to Michael at Creepy Claws Animal Encounters for bringing along these fascinating creatures for the family to enjoy.”
Shirley Clark, marketing at Pilgrims, who photographed the day, said:
“It was a privilege to capture these moments for the family. Those natural smiles, the laughter, and the little in-between moments will become treasured memories for years to come.”
At Pilgrims Hospices, care extends beyond clinical support; it’s about helping families live well together, right to the end, and creating moments of joy when they’re needed most.
Pilgrims Hospices provides compassionate, specialist care free of charge to thousands of people in east Kent each year who are living with life-limiting conditions. Support is offered in patients’ homes, in the community, and at our three hospice sites in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford. We also run a 24-hour advice line.
10th February 2026
Hannah takes on London Marathon for Pilgrims Hospices in memory of brother
Hannah Brazier from Herne Bay will run the London Marathon on 26 April 2026 in memory of her brother, Kyran, who was cared for by Pilgrims Hospices.
With more than £2,000 raised in sponsorship, Hannah is helping to ensure that other families can continue to benefit from local hospice care.
Hannah with her brother, Kyran
After receiving a Stage 4 bowel cancer diagnosis, Kyran spent his final week in Pilgrims’ care; he died at the Canterbury hospice in September 2024, aged 36.
Hannah said: “Our experience as a family was overwhelmingly positive. During Kyran’s stay at the hospice, staff and volunteers gave him exceptional care filled with comfort, dignity and compassion. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and every need was met with kindness, patience and warmth.
“Kyran took great joy in the delicious meals he was served, the friendly jokes he shared with everyone, and the massages that helped ease his pain.
“Knowing he was so well cared for brought our family a great sense of peace.”
Inspired to give back and to say thank you, Hannah signed up to run London Marathon 2026 for Pilgrims. With the support of family and friends, she has already raised over £2,000, and with a few months still to go until the big day, she hopes to raise even more:
“Running the London Marathon in Kyran’s memory is an honour, and a chance to give something back to the organisation that gave so much to us when we needed it most. Pilgrims offered compassion, dignity, and unwavering support during the most difficult time of our lives. They didn’t just care for my brother, they cared for our entire family. We were welcomed at any hour, day or night. Staff provided toys for Kyran’s children to play with during visits, and they made space for family meals in the shared dining area. To his children, the hospice became affectionately known as the “house-pital” because it felt like a second home.
“Through fundraising, I’d like to help ensure that everyone has access to dignified end-of-life care in a comfortable setting with excellent support. While many of us shy away from talking about dying, my experience showed me how vital it is that people are able to die with dignity, compassion, and comfort. I want to help make this level of care available to all families who may need it.”
Pilgrims Hospices charity places for London Marathon 2026 are full, but if you’ve been inspired by Hannah and would like to fundraise for Pilgrims, visit our events page or contact our Fundraising team to find out more:
Pilgrims Hospices provides compassionate, specialist care free of charge to thousands of people in east Kent each year who are living with life-limiting conditions. Support is offered in patients’ homes, in the community, and at our three hospice sites in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford. We also run a 24-hour advice line.
29th January 2026
Local family-run hairdressing business raise over £100k for Pilgrims Hospices
Each year, Steven James Hairdressing in Canterbury and Faversham hold a Christmas raffle in aid of Pilgrims Hospices.
With a range of prizes on offer to win, it is always eagerly anticipated by their customers, and everyone gets into the festive spirit.
2025 was a bumper year, and the team raised £5,735 for Pilgrims, bringing their fundraising total to date to £102,521.
Steven Flower, who runs the hair salon on Castle Street, Canterbury said:
“Our association with Pilgrims began more than 40 years ago when a family friend was admitted. The love and care he received was outstanding, as was the support shown to his family.”
The prizes on offer include restaurant meals, the use of a brand-new car for the weekend, as well as donation of an iPad by one generous customer, and much more.
Tickets are always on sale in the barbers, run by Jason, the salon, run by Steven on Castle Street, Canterbury and the salon in Faversham, which is run by James.
Steven James Hairdressing has had a long presence in the Canterbury and Faversham business community.
The dynasty began in 1908 with Henry Flower, who opened up a barbers in Palace Street, Canterbury. Historically, Henry’s wife became established as the first female barber in the country, and after having two sons, Ernest and Bertram, the business expanded, with each opening up their own shops in Canterbury.
Five generations of hairdressers have worked at the helm of the salons, including Jim, who followed in his father’s footsteps in 1962, opening up his own shop in 1985, naming it Steven James after his two sons, who now own the Canterbury and Faversham shops respectively.
Leila Ilkhan, Corporate and Trusts Partnerships Manager at Pilgrims, said:
“We are so proud to have the support of Steven James Hairdressing who have been part of the hospice for almost as long as we have opened our doors. Thank you to Steven, James, Jim and Jason and to all of their wonderful customers who each year raise this incredible sum of money for the hospice.”
Pilgrims Hospices provides compassionate, specialist care free of charge to thousands of people in east Kent each year who are living with life-limiting conditions. Support is offered in patients’ homes, in the community, and at our three hospice sites in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford. We also run a 24-hour advice line.
16th January 2026
Pilgrims Hospices’ Christmas Tree Recycling campaign raises a record breaking £84,000 for end-of-life care
Pilgrims Hospices’ annual Tree Recycling campaign has once again been a tree-mendous success, giving more than 4,600 Christmas trees a second life and raising over £84,000 to help provide specialist end-of-life care for local people across east Kent.
Over the weekend, volunteers were out in force across Canterbury, Thanet, and Ashford, collecting trees directly from doorsteps. Thanks to the incredible generosity of the community, local residents, and businesses, this year’s total has surpassed expectations – helping to fund vital care for patients and their families.
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Sue Sharp, Director of Marketing and Income Generation, with the ITV Meridian News team at the Canterbury hospice site
More than 125 incredible volunteers took part, supported by local businesses who kindly donated their time, vans, and equipment free of charge. Pilgrims staff also worked throughout the weekend to make sure collections ran smoothly and efficiently.
At the Canterbury hospice site, chipping services were once again kindly donated by the father-and-son team at D. Parr Tree Surgeons, who have a personal connection to the hospice’s care.
Sue Sharp, Director of Marketing and Income Generation at Pilgrims Hospices, said:
“This campaign is all about community spirit – turning festive trees into vital care for families in east Kent. Every tree collected helps fund essential hospice services, and we couldn’t do it without our incredible volunteers, supporters, and local businesses.”
All collected trees were processed in an environmentally friendly way – mapped for the most efficient routes, chipped, and reused for landscaping, composting, and even in the hospice’s own gardens.
Since the campaign began in Ashford 14 years ago, over 25,000 trees have been collected and more than £450,000 raised for Pilgrims Hospices.
It’s a brilliant way for communities to recycle, celebrate, and make a difference – one tree at a time!
Pilgrims Hospices provides compassionate, specialist care free of charge to thousands of people in east Kent each year who are living with life-limiting conditions. Support is offered in patients’ homes, in the community, and at our three hospice sites in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford. We also run a 24-hour advice line.
18th December 2025
Ho Ho Ho and away they go! Santas take over Herne Bay for Pilgrims Hospices run
More than 1,100 Santas brought festive cheer to Herne Bay seafront on Sunday 14 December 2025, as Pilgrims Hospices’ much-loved Santas on the Run! returned for another jolly fundraising success.
Organised by Rachael Edmed, Senior Fundraiser at Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury, the event welcomed runners, walkers and joggers of all abilities to take on 3K, 5K and 10K routes, all in support of vital hospice care across east Kent.
With spectacular sunshine for this time of year, the festive fundraiser truly kick-started the Christmas season, as a sea of red suits set off along the promenade at 11am, cheered on by spectators enjoying the joyful atmosphere.
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This year’s event saw 1,108 participants take part, with £28,567.80 raised so far, expecting to rise to in the region of £40,000. Over £240,000 has been raised since the event began – helping Pilgrims Hospices continue to provide compassionate care and support for patients and families living with terminal illness.
The celebrations were brought to life by fantastic local entertainment, with MC Graham Burns and Herne Bay radio station, Cabin FM, playing a huge part in keeping the festive energy high throughout the morning. Runners were also treated to the uplifting sounds of Samba Pelo Mar, while The Grinch made a mischievous appearance, spreading laughter and festive fun.
The Grinch made a special appearance
A lively warm-up session, led by Pip Smith from Active Life, got the Santas moving and ready ahead of the start, ensuring everyone was well prepared for their festive dash along the seafront.
Pilgrims Hospices would like to thank everyone who took part, volunteered, entertained, supported and cheered from the side-lines, helping to make Santas on the Run! such a memorable community event.
As the charity heads into the festive season, Pilgrims Hospices sends heartfelt thanks to all supporters and wishes everyone a very happy Christmas, with gratitude for the incredible support shown throughout 2025.
Rachael Edmed, Senior Fundraiser at Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury, said:
“Santas on the Run! was truly magical this year. Seeing over 1,100 Santas come together, smiling, laughing and supporting Pilgrims Hospices was incredibly special.
“We’re so grateful to everyone who took part, our amazing volunteers, Herne Bay radio, Samba Pelo Mar, our warm-up leader from Active Life, and of course everyone who donated. Your support helps us continue providing vital hospice care to families across east Kent – thank you, and have a wonderful Christmas.”
Pilgrims Hospices provides compassionate, specialist care free of charge to thousands of people in east Kent each year who are living with life-limiting conditions. Support is offered in patients’ homes, in the community, and at our three hospice sites in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford. We also run a 24-hour advice line.
27th October 2025
Pilgrims Hospices helps Margaret to realise musical theatre dreams
Margaret Grand from Wingham grew up in Canterbury. With a keen interest in singing and theatre, she did choral singing at school and sang in choirs later in life – including with Ann Robertson, Pilgrims Hospices’ founder, who Margaret knew from her village community.
John and Margaret on their wedding day
As a teenager, Margaret was offered the opportunity to study at the prestigious Italia Conti performing arts institution, but her mother wouldn’t let her go; Margaret was an only child, and her mother was afraid she would move away and not return home.
Margaret instead began working at Boots in Canterbury city centre, where she met her husband, John, who was also a musician. Together, they played in bands and performed locally.
In 2021, Margaret was diagnosed with cancer and received a life-limiting prognosis. Since being referred to Pilgrims Hospices, she has had a second chance to flex her theatrical prowess through a project with the Marlowe Theatre – showing how hospice care is not only for those at the end-of-life, but also empowers people to live well, and fully, in the time they have left.
Margaret said:
“I’d had problems with my leg, I kept getting cellulitis; I was going to the GP surgery regularly to have dressings on. The nurse noticed a spot on my leg, which started to change colour, so she asked the doctor to check it and he did an urgent referral. A biopsy at Kent & Canterbury hospital showed that I had Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare type of skin cancer. The nurses explained that I’d need to go to Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead for treatment, and have scans for five years.
“In 2022, I started to get large tumours on my leg, and I got upset every time I had it dressed. I remember the nurse, Bonnie, saying: “Margaret, I can understand why you get upset, because most people don’t see their tumours.” They just got worse and worse. I was sleeping on the sofa at home because I was so uncomfortable.
“Later that year, I went to see Les Miserables at the Marlowe Theatre with my daughter, Michelle. During the interval, I had to leave because I felt so unwell. A week later, I collapsed at home – I was just like a puppet. I called out to John, but he couldn’t get me up, so he phoned for an ambulance. I asked the paramedic to put me on the sofa and assured them I’d be OK, but they took my temperature and it was sky high, so they had to admit me to hospital, where I was diagnosed with sepsis. I was there for about a month, and I also caught COVID!”
Michelle added:
“Mum was discharged shortly before Christmas and was due to see her consultant around this time, but as she had been so unwell, I attended on her behalf. I explained what had happened, and the consultant was concerned. She said: “I can tell how ill your mum must be. I really think she needs palliative care, so I’m going to do a referral.” That was a massive shock; I came out of the appointment shaking. To me, palliative care meant Mum was at the end of life, on a downward spiral. But then things turned around very quickly; she was quite stable, and she started chemotherapy in January 2023.”
Margaret with her daughter, Michelle
Margaret continued: “They told me the chemo would be potent, could potentially make me very ill, and would cause me to lose my hair. On the whole, I was actually quite lucky; l didn’t feel sick at all and I pretty much sailed through the treatment. When I came out of hospital, they gave me a hospital bed at home, which made things a little easier. It was around this time that Pilgrims got in touch with me.”
Alongside pain management and symptom control, Margaret has benefitted from a range of wellbeing services at Pilgrims, including acupuncture and Wellbeing groups, through which she and other patients were involved in a musical theatre project with the Marlowe Theatre.
She also joins regular virtual meet-ups via Zoom, which offer an opportunity to connect with other patients from the comfort of their own homes.
In November 2023, John lost his balance and fell backwards at home, hit the back of his neck, severed his spinal cord and died within a week:
“Just like that. I couldn’t believe it; he’d been out cutting the grass that afternoon. He was 80. Since I’d been diagnosed, we’d always thought it was going to be me who went first – exactly a year before, when I was hospitalised with sepsis, it certainly looked that way.”
Pilgrims supported Margaret’s family through this very difficult time; her granddaughter, Holly, was offered counselling support as she struggled to cope with John’s sudden death.
Margaret was also invited for a Christmas meal at the Ashford hospice, where she could experience the environment in a relaxed, informal way.
She said: “I feel like everyone at Pilgrims is a friend, it’s a lovely community.
“I’ve got nothing but praise for the staff; they must see so many people, but they still know your name.
“Chatting with Palak from the Wellbeing team, I mentioned my love of singing and my interest in theatre, and she told me about a Hamlet-inspired project for patients that Pilgrims was facilitating with the Marlowe.
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Margaret took part in Hamlet workshops with the Marlowe Theatre at Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury
“When I was at high school, I had a marvellous music teacher – Mr Sellers – who saw my potential. He put me in every single play, and I even sung in Canterbury Cathedral. I was also part of the Young Marlowe Theatre Playgoers; we’d do readings and put on the odd play, but it was more of a training programme. It was completely free to attend, but in return, we would go to the Marlowe and give out refreshments to the actors.
“My best friend, Catherine, was also into the theatre. Her father offered to pay for both of us to go to the Italia Conti performing arts school in London, but my mum wouldn’t let me go. And because I couldn’t go, Catherine wouldn’t go – I messed up her chances, too! I still feel guilty about that!
“We used to have village shows in Wingham, and I always took part in those. I also sang in a band with John on guitar and our friend, Dick; we’d go out gigging round the local pubs, we had so much fun. Whenever Michelle and I go to the Marlowe now, I always say to her: “I wish that was me on the stage”.”
Margaret’s husband, John (second from left), playing with the band
In 2024/25, Pilgrims organised a musical theatre project with the Marlowe, open to patients, families, staff and volunteers, which helped Margaret to realise her dream. Workshops were held at the Canterbury hospice Therapy Centre, facilitated by local performers Tom Adams and Lillian Henry, with guest speakers from the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC).
This culminated in the group writing and performing a song based around Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and a special event at the Marlowe in April 2025.
Margaret read a sonnet on stage and was invited to talk about her history with the theatre. She was also delighted to sit with an RSC representative during the event.
Margaret performing at the Marlowe Theatre in April 2025
She said: “I’m so touched that the RSC, and people like Tom and Lillian, will give their time to Pilgrims to create experiences like this for patients.”
Pilgrims continue to work closely with the Marlowe, and are planning another creative project in the near future.
Margaret added:
“Before I got involved with Pilgrims, I thought a hospice was a place you go to die. Now I know it’s so much more than that, and I tell everyone!
“I remember sitting in the Thanet hospice reception waiting for my acupuncture appointment. It wasn’t until my last session that I spotted the wards, which goes to show that hospices aren’t just beds on a ward.
“It’s totally different to what people think.
“Pilgrims don’t just offer end-of-life care, but also a whole range of wellbeing services and groups. It’s really opened my eyes.”
For more information on Pilgrims Hospices’ Wellbeing Programme:
Call the Pilgrims Hospices Advice Line on 01233 504 133
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices care for thousands of people across east Kent, with services provided from its three hospice sites in Ashford, Canterbury, and Thanet, as well as in patients’ own homes. It costs over £17.2 million annually to run these services, much of which comes from the generous support of the local community.
