Are you interested in sustainable clothing purchases? Do you love to search for that special pre-loved item in your local charity shop?
Do you think about how much high quality clothing goes to waste, landfill or lays unloved in someone’s wardrobe?
You will love Pilgrims Hospices pop-up kilo event on Saturday 28 May 2022 at St Peter’s Methodist Church Hall in Canterbury.
For those who’ve not had the experience of perusing the rails for vintage or retro clothing, pre-loved high street and some designer items, this is an awesome event not to be missed, the doors open at 10am. For just £5 per kilo, you can seek out a completely new style or find some items that will give your current wardrobe a new lease of life or a new twist in your styling.
Mandy Hawkett, Pilgrims Retail Area Manager said: “We’re very excited to bring our first ever Kilo Sale to shoppers in the Canterbury area. We are providing the bags, all customers need to do is pick their items and pop them in the bags for us to weigh. It’s only £5 per kilo and you can buy as much as you like on the day. We will have a huge variety of stock, so there’s definitely something for everyone.”
There won’t be changing facilities available at the venue, therefore taking a tape measure to check sizing would be something to think about on the day. Shoppers can pay by cash or card at the event and there will be a pop-up cafe for light refreshments too.
Mandy added: “Pilgrims charity shops are an important part of the community, providing local employment, productive volunteering opportunities to a range of age groups and stability to ailing high streets. The environmental benefits through the re-use and re-purposing of pre-loved items are hugely important. And… apart from all of these reasons, we all love to seek out that very special item at a very special price.”
Whether it’s a gentleman’s jacket, some new work gear, a branded t-shirt or something for a special occasion, we will do our best to help you find the perfect items to suit your needs.
St Peter’s Methodist Hall is on St Peter’s Street, Canterbury CT1 2BE, look out for the Kilo Sale banners outside, the event runs from 10am to 4pm.
All the money raised from the sale will help to run Pilgrims Hospices services in Canterbury, Ashford and Thanet along with supporting people to live well in their own homes.
Please come along, it’s free to come in and you are sure to find something special for you or someone in your family.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,500 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.
27th April 2022
Barry’s super beard shave for Pilgrims Hospices
Barry Ash from Hawkinge, near Folkestone, set out to raise £5,000 for Pilgrims Hospices by completing a superhero-themed beard shave on Saturday 23 April 2022.
Barry with his mum, Carole
Barry is fundraising in memory of his mum, Carole, who was cared for at the Canterbury hospice in January 2022. Carole was from West Hougham, near Dover, where she lived with Barry’s dad, John.
Inspired by the support his family received, Barry wants to give back to the local charity so that others can benefit from its vital, compassionate care.
Barry said: “From the moment Mum was referred to Pilgrims, the care was outstanding – from pain management, to her personal care, including brushing her hair and teeth, to our care as a family. They spoke to us about what Mum was going through, and reassured us so we weren’t scared of what was going to happen. Staff were always on hand to answer any questions we had.
“I used to think that Pilgrims was just a place to die, but now I see a much bigger picture; they care for everyone, both patients and families, and so much more.”
Laura and Barry as Wonder Woman and Superman
Barry and his wife, Laura, love all things superheroes. To say thank you for the care Carole received, they organised a themed fundraiser – on Saturday 23 April 2022, Barry dressed as Superman and had his beard shaved off outside Get Ready Comics in Rochester. Paul Blakeborough, who owns the shop, and his team, helped to organise the day. Barry’s wife, Laura, joined him as Wonder Woman.
Barry continued: “This was a chance to raise money for Pilgrims, have some fun and bring smiles to people’s faces at the same time. Mum knew what we were planning; she loved the idea and we know she was smiling down on us on the day.
“We started off walking up and down the high street and the reactions were just awesome; not just from kids, but from their parents as well. Everyone wanted a picture with us! They asked what we were doing, and as soon as I said that we were raising money and awareness for Pilgrims everyone put their hands into their pockets and gave what they could. It was so nice.
“The beard shave started at 12:30; Shayne Kingham was the kind man who gave up his time to do the deed.”
Barry and Laura have raised £4,175 of his target thanks to the generosity of work clients, friends, family and members of the public, and his JustGiving page will remain open for further donations now that he has completed his challenge.
He hopes that alongside raising money, he has also increased awareness of Pilgrims’ services within the community.
Barry and Laura with Carole
He added: “They say that you remember people by how they made you feel. The staff and nurses at the Canterbury hospice left a long-lasting impression; we are full of gratitude and thankfulness for everything they did for us in the final stages of Mum’s illness.
“The kindness we were all shown in Mum’s last few days was phenomenal; it is something we will never forget.”
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.
11th April 2022
Pilgrims Garden Festival: A summer date for your diaries!
The Pilgrims Garden Festival is back for a second year and Pilgrims Hospices can’t wait to welcome visitors back for a fun family day out.
Set to be hosted at Mount Ephraim Gardens on Sunday 24 July, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm, visitors will enjoy a vibrant market area filled with local food and drink producers, plant sellers and makers all from around Kent.
Once the shopping has been done, you will be able to head over for some lunch at the traditional tea party or BBQ before pitching up a blanket in the family-friendly picnic area.
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And new for 2022 is the bar area, which will be stocked by local drink producers which you will be able to discover and enjoy with a bit of live music.
For more information please contact the Canterbury fundraising team on 01227 812621 or [email protected].
11th January 2022
Bousfield family’s fantastic fundraising for local hospice care
Charlotte, Mark and Hugo Bousfield from Canterbury are keen supporters of Pilgrims Hospices; to date, they have raised more than £1,300 for the charity.
They fundraise in memory of Charlotte’s mum, Jane Mounter, who received Pilgrims’ vital end-of-life care at the Thanet hospice in 2017.
Jane
Jane lived in Beltinge, Herne Bay, where she was a well-known member of the local community. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and a much-loved ophthalmic nurse in the outpatients department at Kent and Canterbury Hospital.
Charlotte said: “She was the life and soul of the party and has left a big hole in our lives.
“When Mum was admitted to the hospice, I was frightened because I thought it was a place of sadness where everything would be very clinical – but I was amazed from the moment I walked in. I was overwhelmed by the kindness and care that Pilgrims’ staff offered, not only to Mum but to our whole family. We could use all the different spaces, including the beautiful gardens, the family room – which was ideal with Hugo, who was four at the time – and the small chapel area for quiet moments of reflection. My mum was made to feel comfortable, reassured and, most importantly of all, normal.”
Mark and Hugo have taken part in Pilgrims’ festive fun-run, Santas on the Run! in Herne Bay, every year since 2017. The family has also supported Pilgrims’ annual Trees of Love remembrance campaign and been involved with several other fundraising activities.
As a family, they fundraise to give back and say thank you for the care Jane received, helping to ensure that others can benefit from local hospice services.
Hugo with his granny, Jane
Charlotte added: “Pilgrims has become a cause incredibly close to our hearts; the work they do day in and day out to make the most painful moments in life a little bit easier, more bearable and totally human, is nothing short of amazing. We will always be grateful for those last moments with Mum in such a safe place.
Mark and Hugo at Santas on the Bay!
“They’re a great local charity, and we are forever connected to them through my mum. Pilgrims help thousands of people every single day to make their last moments with special people matter. Through fundraising, we hope to raise awareness of this great cause and offer a small gesture that might help other families in difficult times.”
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,500 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.
21st December 2021
The Fanneran-Mullins family melt hearts with Chocolate Oranges for Pilgrims Hospices
A Chocolate Orange treat for staff on all three Pilgrims Hospices sites was delivered by the Fanneran-Mullins family last week. As part of Team Chocolate Orange, Kevin Mullins, Katrina Fanneran-Mullins and their children have been collecting donated oranges from local schools and organisations to bring Christmas cheer. It’s their way of sending a much-deserved thank you for providing essential services 365 days a year, caring for those in need and their loved ones, and for always being there when they are needed.
The children, Ethan Fanneran-Burley, from year eight St. Anselm’s Catholic School, Kaitlyn Fanneran-Mullins, from year three and Cohen Fanneran-Mullins, from year one whom both attend Bridge and Patrixbourne CEP school arrived with boxes of chocolate treasure for the Pilgrims staff. The treats were donated by both schools, Faversham Town Walking Football, St. Stephens Golf Society, and the Royal Mail Whitstable and Herne Bay delivery offices.
The Team Chocolate Orange campaign was started by Chris Lamb, whose son, Elliott, spent a lot of time in hospital and very sadly passed away just before Christmas 2010, aged just four years old. The following year Chris decided he wanted to do something positive to cherish Elliott’s memory and Team Chocolate Orange was born. Seeing the campaign as a way to turn a negative into a positive, Chris embarked on a mission to thank NHS staff for all they did and decided to give a Chocolate Orange to as many of them as he could.
Having started in St. Helens, Merseyside in 2011 with 145 Chocolate Oranges, the campaign, now running in areas from Newcastle to London, has resulted in over 100,000 donated Chocolate Oranges being gifted to deserving recipients.
Kevin said: “With the unparalleled pressure brought about by COVID-19 on the NHS, emergency services, and care settings, we were even more determined to spread gratitude and gift appreciation under the banner of Team Chocolate Orange here in Kent. Personally, we have the extra motivation of the importance of the NHS in our own lives, as they continue to play an invaluable role in our son Ethan’s care. He is under the lifetime care of Great Ormond Street Hospital and we are excited at the prospect of sharing some joy and thanks with those who support people with the greatest need.
“My family is honoured to have joined Team Chocolate Orange and have been collecting donations of Chocolate Oranges over the past fortnight.
“It was lovely to meet with some of the Pilgrims team, the kids loved dropping off the Chocolate Oranges and were really excited that the staff will arrive at work to be greeted by a festive confectionery.”
Leila Ilkhan, Pilgrims community fundraising manager said: “On behalf of everyone at Pilgrims Hospices I would like to say a very big thank you to you for thinking of our charity and delivering chocolate oranges for our staff to enjoy.
“It is heart-warming to see people in our community wanting to spread some joy and I look forward to sharing your token of gratitude with our nurses, doctors and wider clinical teams over the next couple of days.
“Team Chocolate Orange has started something truly fantastic and it is wonderful that you are bringing this to Kent to continue this generous act of giving.”
Pilgrims supports thousands of patients and their families in east Kent each year. The charity has faced huge challenges over the last 18 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The gift of a chocolate orange to each of the team will no doubt be enjoyed with a cup of tea on tea breaks and lunch times. Pilgrims wish to thank Kevin, Katrina and their children for such a thoughtful gesture and would like to wish them a very merry Christmas.
You can keep up to date with Team Chocolate Orange on Facebook and Twitter.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,500 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.
20th December 2021
Trees of Love raises £1 million for hospice care!
This year, Pilgrims Hospices welcomed over 1,200 people to their Trees of Love remembrance services, held throughout December 2021, at the hospices in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet, and at indoor venues in New Romney, River, Cheriton, Charing and Barham.
Those remembering lost loved ones this Christmas dedicated doves to hang on the trees at each venue, or at home, to be illuminated throughout the festive season. All were then invited to join together to share their memories at the event or service of their choosing, where they enjoyed carol singing and warm mince pies.
This year also marks an incredible achievement for east Kent’s largest remembrance services, as Ellie Cane, Individual Giving Officer, explains:
“This very important remembrance service has been running for more than 20 years, and in that time we are pleased to say that we have just reached the milestone of raising over £1 million for the hospices! We’d like to thank all those who’ve supported this appeal over the years, and also to our incredible volunteers who help us make it happen each and every year.”
Pilgrims partnered once again this year with Firmager Funeral Directors, All Souls Church and School, St Peter and St Paul Church, and the Westerleigh Group to put on these very special events, allowing more people in east Kent who have lost loved ones to attend.
Ellie added: “The response to the appeal has been incredible, and we want to say a huge thank you to everyone that has dedicated a dove so far this year, and on previous years. Your support has meant we can continue to be still here, still caring even during difficult times.”
Pilgrims will continue to take donations for dedicated doves across the festive season. Contact their Supporter Relations Team on 01227 782 062 or visit pilgrimshospices.org/treesoflove to donate and dedicate a dove.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,500 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.
