Natasha’s Cycle Challenge for Pilgrims Hospices in memory of mum, Karen
Natasha Parker from Sittingbourne was just 17-years-old when her mum, Karen Parker from Chartham, was referred to Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury for specialist end-of-life care.
Karen
To give back and say thank you for the support Karen and her family received, Natasha has so far raised more than £1,300 for Pilgrims Hospices through taking on challenges and via Facebook birthday fundraisers. Next up, she and her fiancee, Stefan Montandon, will ride the 50-mile route at Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challengeon Sunday 1 May 2022.
Natasha remembers how Pilgrims lovingly cared for her family when Karen was approaching the end of her life. She said: “My mum was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in 2011. She came to the Canterbury hospice the following year, and passed away there on 10 October 2012.
“She wasn’t in the hospice for very long, but the care she and our family received whilst there was second to none. Everyone was so kind and lovely through the most difficult time of my life. I was only 17 at the time; to have people around who cared so much made a huge difference.”
Inspired by her experience of Pilgrims, Natasha has chosen to support the local charity ever since so that others can continue to benefit from its vital, compassionate care.
She added: “I completed two Shock Absorber triathlons in 2015 and 2018 at Dorney Lake, Eton. I also completed the Pilgrims Way Challenge from Canterbury to Dover in 2020 and 2021; I definitely recommend this! This year, I’m doing the 50-milePilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge on Sunday 1 May.
“I’ve also done some general fundraising using the Facebook birthday donations function. I will continue to raise money for Pilgrims in the future by taking part in more events.”
Natasha with her mum, Karen
Natasha is supported in her fundraising by family and friends, particularly Stefan, who takes part in events with her.
She said: “Pilgrims is a cause very close to my heart; they offer somewhere to go when there is really nowhere else. They do such an amazing job of looking after people in their last days, and their families, too.
“Through fundraising, I hope to help ensure that Pilgrims can continue to make the worst moments of people’s lives that little bit more bearable, like they did for me.”
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 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.
10th November 2021
Supporters hot-foot it for Pilgrims Hospices this bonfire season!
Pilgrims Hospices sponsored Firewalk series returned for its sixth year over the bonfire season and saw almost 90 brave supporters face their fears to conquer the coals. The annual event challenges people to walk barefoot over red-hot wood embers measuring 800 degrees and raise much-needed funds for Pilgrims’ specialist, end-of-life care!
The daring dash took place in three locations across east Kent – in Ashford on 29 October, Canterbury on 30 October and Broadstairs on 6 November – and is expected to raise more than £12,000 for the local hospice charity with more sponsorship to follow.
A total of 932 Pilgrims supporters have taken on the ‘hottest, shortest sponsored walk in the world’ since 2016 to raise a staggering £210,358 for those living with an incurable illness in our community.
Robert Grew, Pilgrims Events Manager, said: “It was fantastic to see so many supporters, quite literally, stepping out of their comfort zone to brave the barefoot firewalk for Pilgrims Hospices. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and faced their fear to raise vital funds for the care of patients in our local community. You’ve followed in the toasted footsteps of more than 900 Pilgrims supporters before you and certainly earned your place in the Hall of Flame!”
Motivational speaker and firewalk specialist Cliff Mann, held a training seminar for participants before they stepped out to face the flames.
Cliff said: “Firewalking is a huge personal challenge, I’ve been teaching people the skills for more than 30 years now. It’s great to be back and empowering Pilgrims supporters to take on the hottest, shortest sponsored walk in the world. It’s always a great pleasure to help charities raise vital funds while helping people to achieve something truly life changing.”
Chris Laming Westbrook (Margate) 1
Robert added: “We’d like to thank our services team at the Ashford hospice for making it possible to hold our event in the hospice grounds; the University of Kent Sport for hosting us in Canterbury, and our latest venue for Firewalk, Thanet Wanderers Rugby Club at Broadstairs, for making us welcome and giving everyone a very special night to remember.
“Sponsorship money will continue to come in for some time yet, we will be able to announce a final figure around the festive season.”
There are some great challenges and events on Pilgrims Hospices website: pilgrimshospices.org/events. Why not take a look and help Pilgrims Hospices reach even more people who need our specialist care?
Care is provided from three hospice sites in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet as well as in patients’ own homes. To offer these services to patients and their families the charity must raise £11 million each year from the generous local community.
5th November 2021
New online Christmas auction for Pilgrims Hospices
Pilgrims Hospices will be holding a new online auction this festive season to help raise money for hospice care across east Kent.
There are over 60 fantastic lots to bid on to help raise money for people facing a life limiting illness. There’s a huge selection of items on offer, including:
Overnight stays
Days out
Perfume
Hampers
Vouchers
Games
Ladies accessories
Gifts
Plus many more!
The auction will run for three weeks going live on Friday 12 November 2021 and will close on Friday 3 December 2021. Bidding couldn’t be more accessible or easier by going to: jumblebee.co.uk/pilgrimshospiceschristmasauction
Ashford Fundraising Manager, Louise Newman said: “It’s the perfect opportunity to buy Christmas presents for loved ones or treat yourself to something, knowing all the money raised will be helping us care for our patients and their families.”
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.
