Fantastic fundraiser Eleanor raises over £5,000 for Pilgrims Hospices
Eleanor Davies from Ashford hopes to inspire other children to fundraise for charity. Aged just 7-years-old, Eleanor recently raised an incredible £5,401.01 for local hospice care.
Eleanor raised funds over the festive period in 2022 and also took part in Santas on the Harbour! in December 2022 with her mum, Charlotte, who is a Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner at Pilgrims Hospices.
Eleanor and Charlotte at Santas on the Harbour! 2022 in Folkestone
Young fundraiser Eleanor said: “I wanted to fundraise for Pilgrims because it’s kind and thoughtful to raise money for people who help others who are poorly. It means they can buy some new equipment for people to use. My mummy works at the Ashford hospice and she tries to help people feel a little bit better. I think everyone who works at Pilgrims is fantastic!”
Eleanor continued: “I was so proud that I wore my medal to school! I have just joined Brownies, and the fundraising goes towards my Charities badge, which is very exciting.”
“I want to say an enormous thank you to all my family and friends who donated and sponsored me and came to Folkestone on the day of the run, to cheer me on! It was really tiring, but so much fun and I would love to do a Pilgrims run again. I would also like to say thank you to Pilgrims for all the amazing work they do and for letting me run for them. I am very proud of my mummy for what she does.”
Charlotte added: “I’m so proud of Eleanor; I see first-hand how the money can help people. At 7-years-old, to have raised £5,401.01 is absolutely fantastic and for Eleanor to want to fundraise again is just amazing. She is already asking about her next challenge! Thank you to her sponsors for their generosity. We hope that her story inspires others to fundraise for charity.”
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.
9th March 2023
UNFRAMED, Ashford’s first mural festival is coming to the town centre and a Pilgrims Hospices shop near you!
Pilgrims Hospices are proud to be one of 14 special locations taking part in Ashford’s first mural festival, UNFRAMED!
Ashford will be turned into a vibrant masterpiece as a number of national and local artists take to its streets to transform blank walls into a sea of colour and creativity. All of the murals are in close proximity of each other around the town centre and will be part of the UNFRAMED art trail for local residents and visitors to enjoy.
Curated by street art and mural experts Accent London and The London Mural Company, artists include Mr Doodle, Alex Chinneck, Charley Peters, Will Redgrove, Curtis Hylton, Andy Welland, and many more.
Pilgrims Hospices’ location will be at one of its charity retail stores and its well-loved Castle Street shop will be the canvas. Here, a spectacular and themed artwork will be revealed and has been curated by Will Redgrove in association with the hospice team.
The painting will be one of the last to be curated, just before the art trail formerly opens to the public.
The charity have worked closely with the artist, Will Redgrove, to ensure that the design has hospice meaning and resonates with trail viewers, whilst also showing nature in a vibrant and bold setting.
Pilgrims Hospices representative, Kate Duddell, said: “At its heart, Pilgrims Hospices is dedicated to ensuring people living with an incurable illness can access the quality care and comfort they deserve. Our environment is so important and we wanted to work closely with Will to ensure that this masterpiece has meaning and the elements represent what the hospice is all about, yet in an abstract way.”
Nature is the focus of the Pilgrims mural and it’s nothing new that spending time in the great outdoors and within a natural setting does wonders for our physical health and mental wellbeing. With all these benefits, it’s little wonder why nature is the focus of the Pilgrims artwork. It is a meaningful representation of everlasting love, gratitude, respect, memory and care, which the natural symbols within the artwork represent; all of which are important in Pilgrims’ daily work in caring for the east Kent community at the end of life.
Kate added: “People think that hospices are sad places, but really they are places to help our patients live fully and well in the time that they have. Our welcoming facilities and gardens enable families, carers and patients to have a brighter and inspiring setting for their care. Hospices aren’t places to be fearful of – they’re places that remove fears within natural and safe surroundings.”
Visitors to the festival will be able to download a map, scan a QR code at each site, or pick up a physical map from Coachworks, Low Key Tap Room, Picturehouse or Made in Ashford and wander around the town centre immersing themselves in the street art and learning more about each piece.
The mural festival will run from Saturday 1 April to Sunday 16 April 2023, with arts workshops, street dance and film screenings available to all visitors.
Keep up with all the latest updates as they happen and watch the progress of the artwork being created by following @ashfordunframedon Instagram.
Pilgrims Hospices care 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.
5th March 2023
The fine art of looking after Pilgrims supporters
Pilgrims Hospices Supporter Relations team are the listening ears, guiding people through the immensely important journey of making a donation, whether through fundraising, in memory or legacy giving.
This team is surprisingly small, consisting of just three dedicated and knowledgeable individuals, whose skills help to make gifting to Pilgrims Hospices a warm and memorable experience.
Picking up the telephone to make a donation could be one of the most challenging things to do, especially as this can evoke memories of troubled and sad times. Speaking to a skilled and compassionate member of Pilgrims Supporter Relations team can be the beginning of a long and successful relationship as a donor, making a difference to people who need Pilgrims’ care now and into the future.
Hannah Sole, Supporter Relations Manager has a wealth of almost nine years of experience with the team. She joined with her administration skills, and now heads up the team who can handle hundreds of calls and enquiries from supporters each month.
When we volunteer at events, it’s lovely to meet face to face with some of the people we’ve spoken to on the phone, they are always heart-warming moments.
Hannah, Supporter Relations Manager
Hannah explained: “It’s a diverse role, and the team is trained to handle all aspects of the job, therefore any one of us can help with any enquiry.
“We process donations, event registrations, and compile the data for colleagues in order for them to run challenges and fundraisers throughout the year.
“Last year, the team processed almost 54,000 donations from our generous supporters. We deal with most departments across the charity, and on all three sites in Canterbury, Ashford and Thanet, whether it’s financial or supporter and fundraising led. We mail more than 7,000 letters each year, conveying thanks for donating or registering to get involved.
The team are regularly found volunteering at events on the registration desks, marshalling supporters or presenting finishers medals, amongst many other things.
Hannah added: “When we volunteer at events, it’s lovely to meet face to face with some of the people we’ve spoken to on the phone, they are always heart-warming moments. And, this can really help us to understand more about the people who support us and how we can best help them with our roles within the team.”
Toby Frost is the newest member of the team with 18 months of Pilgrims experience, he said: “I never get a Monday morning feeling with this job.
“It really is no accident that people come to work for Pilgrims Hospices, my mother-in-law was cared for by the Ashford team, and I’d seen first hand how people have the very best care to support their quality of life until the very end.
“My wife Jane saw the job vacancy advertised, I had become disillusioned with working for a large company, I just wanted to have a role that would help to make things better in the world. Jane knew this would be a brilliant role for me, and I applied and was offered the job. It’s great not to have that sinking Sunday feeling anymore.”
Speaking with people about their donations and enquiries is so interesting, if not very emotional sometimes. However, I’m always rewarded with knowing I’m helping our supporters to do something very special and ensuring that Pilgrims can continue with important care in our community.
Toby, Supporter Relations team
When asked if he had a particular favourite part of the job, Toby said: “Speaking with people about their donations and enquiries is so interesting, if not very emotional sometimes. However, I’m always rewarded with knowing I’m helping our supporters to do something very special and ensuring that Pilgrims can continue with important care in our community.
“With training, I’ve learned new skills and adapted existing ones to meet the compassionate environment that I work in. I’m very proud to be part of the team.
“Everything here at Pilgrims is so inclusive, we work closely with our clinical and non-clinical colleagues to provide the very best care for the patients and their families.
“I particularly love lunchtimes at the hospice, I get a chance to meet volunteers and colleagues from across the charity in our staff cafe.
“The catering team provide the most amazing menus, to meet the individual needs of patients and also the best lunchtime meals for staff and visitors; there’s always something lovely to try!”
Pilgrims’ Supporter Relations team
Trisha Smith has been a valued member of the team for over three years.
She told us: “I’ve always been an active fundraiser, ever since I can remember, supporting charities by taking on challenges and raising funds for important causes.
“I also have personal experience with Pilgrims Hospices; my dad died at the Canterbury hospice in 2009. The care we received was very special, I was also looked after by the bereavement team after Dad’s death. Thereafter, I became a regular Pilgrims’ volunteer, helping at, or taking part in fundraising events, and helping with donation bucket collections. I have a background in administration and education and knew that I’d like to be part of the Pilgrims Hospices workforce. I regularly checked the Pilgrims website for vacancies and applied when I saw the Supporter Relations role appear.
“I really enjoy all aspects of my job, helping people with queries regarding donations, listening to their stories, and generally being able to allow them to speak freely about their Pilgrims experiences.”
The team are sometimes one of the first calls that a grieving family member has made after the death of someone close to them; people find comfort in speaking to someone who knows about the hospices and the care and support offered here.
What could appear to be a quite a simple day-to-day role within the charity, is actually a very important cog in the Pilgrims’ wheel. We hope this small insight into our friendly trio will help you to feel comfortable and able to pick up the phone if you need to, and speak with your supporter relations team.
To find out more about the different ways you can donate to Pilgrims Hospices, visit pilgrimshospices.org/donate.
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.
17th February 2023
A cut above the rest! Local salon raises thousands for Pilgrims Hospices
Steven James Hairdressing has been perfecting the styles of local residents for no less than five generations of hairdressers!
Starting in 1908 in Palace Street, Canterbury this family-run business was first opened by Henry Flower and his wife, Charity. Fast forward to today, Steven and James Flower now own three premises in Canterbury and Faversham, both barbers and ladies’ salons.
Steven and James Flower along with their dad, Jim are firmly part of the Canterbury and Faversham communities through their salons, but also ensuring they support local charitable causes too.
Pilgrims Hospices has long been supported by the salons’ Christmas raffle, and with the support of their clients getting in the festive spirit, thousands of pounds and vital funds are raised each year.
Community Fundraising Manager, Leila Ilkhan visited the team at the barber shop on Castle Street, Canterbury to accept a cheque for £4,703, the result of their support for Christmas 2022.
Leila said, “Steven James Hairdressing have been supporting Pilgrims Hospices since the late 1990s and have raised nearly £90,000 in vital funds to support local hospice care in that time.”
Steven Flower added: “Once again, our wonderful clients have been extremely generous, helping Steven James Hairdressing to raise such a fantastic amount.”
Their continued support is part of the reason we are able to deliver specialist end-of-life care to thousands of people living with a terminal illness each year and their loved ones in east Kent, helping families to make the most of their time together.
From everyone at Pilgrims Hospices, thank you!
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.
31st January 2023
Always Caring: Philip’s story
As a member of Pilgrims Hospices Always Caring, Philip Hurst supports the charity with a monthly donation, to give back for the care and support he and his wife, Gill, received.
My first experience with Pilgrims Hospices was in 2015 when my wife, Gill, was referred by Kent and Canterbury Hospital. She remained as an in-patient at the Canterbury hospice for four weeks in January, until I was able to transfer her home. With the help of Pilgrims Hospices, I was able to convert our sitting room with a hospital bed and all the equipment we needed to care for her. A year later, Gill was re-admitted to the Canterbury hospice for what proved to be her last five days.
After losing Gill, I was supported by the bereavement team at Pilgrims with one-to-one counselling, as well as group sessions with two counsellors three months later, which I benefitted from greatly.
So, every time I receive a request for support, I’m happy to give it. I was pleased to make a regular direct debit to Always Caring. It gives me the opportunity to maintain a background level of support and continue to help the place that cared for my wife.
None of us know when we might need hospice care, but with your support we can continue to be here for local people when they need us most.
By giving regularly to Pilgrims Hospices you can help us be here, Always Caring for our patients and their families.
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.
29th January 2023
Pilgrims Hospices Christmas tree recycling initiative is a record-breaking success
Come wind rain or shine, the doorstep collections of Christmas trees took place over two weekends, 6 – 9 January and 14 – 16 January 2023.
More than 3,150 real Christmas trees were collected by Pilgrims Hospices in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet and recycled by volunteers and representatives of Pilgrims.
The generous community donations raised an incredible £57,000 for local hospice care, exceeding the total from last year, by more than £10,000.
Supporters have been helping Pilgrims to take care of the planet, and hospice patients, one tree at a time, through generous donations given by members of the community as part of this environmentally-friendly fundraising initiative, which reached a milestone 11 years in Ashford and last year ‘branched out’ in Canterbury and Thanet.
Pilgrims wish to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported their charity fundraising scheme. Together, your support helps the hospices to continue providing skilled and compassionate end-of-life care to people living with a life-limiting illness across east Kent.
Kate Duddell, Pilgrims Hospices Fundraising Manager said: “We can only provide the tree recycling service to the local community with the invaluable support of our much-loved and dedicated volunteers who donate their time, vehicles and services for local hospice care, we just couldn’t do it without them. We think you are all amazing!”
Kate added: “I would like to say a huge thank you to everybody who registered their tree for collection, each and every donation makes a difference to the £11 million we have to fundraise each year in order to keep our services running.
“Our thanks also go to our campaign partners; Kent County Council and FCC Environment and all the staff at the Recycling Centres. Additionally, a very special thanks goes to Ashford Borough Council for their many dedicated years supporting the campaign, Canterbury City Council and Thanet District Council. Also, A. Bird Trees and Gardens Ltd, Cordès Horticultural Ltd., Countrystyle Recycling Ltd., David Glew and Sons Garden Maintenance, David Parr Tree Surgeons, Earle’s Landscapes Ltd., Givaudan, Jenner Contractors, Laing O’Rouke, Macknade, MW Cave Ltd., Old Dairy Brewery, Pneuma Church, PSR Lighting & Signs Ltd., RE Tanner and Sons, Royal Mail, Select Plant Hire, Silent Gliss UK, Streetspace Group, Tree and Grounds Maintenance Ltd, Waitrose & Partners, Watkins, and WW Martin, who all played a big part in helping us extend and deliver the campaign, and we thank each and every one of those involved.”
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices provide 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 end of life, free from pain and distress.
