9th April 2020

The Heath family raise charity cheer in back garden

Richard and Joanne Heath from Herne Bay built a bar in their back garden, aptly named The Four Heath Clover. They started fundraising for Pilgrims Hospices along with friends and family who visited, in memory of Jo’s sister Julie Beal. The couple have raised £262 in the past 12 months and almost £700 since 2017 for the charity that is very close to their hearts.

Joanne’s sister Julie was cared for at Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury, after her long battle with cancer, she passed away in March 2010 aged 46 years.

We understand the importance of fundraising for this great cause.

Jo Heath

Jo said: “Having seen and experienced how well Julie was cared for in her final week with Pilgrims, we understand the importance of fundraising for this great cause. We have always been a family that love to take part in events to raise money for charity and have taken part in Pilgrims charity events and also play Pilgrims Lottery to support end of life care within our community.”

She added: “We built our home bar ‘The Four Heath Clover’ and held various fundraising days such as sports days, horse racing, ladies only and gents’ only nights. Everyone who attended always gave generously. Julie was a much loved sister, daughter, mum and auntie; she was always the life and soul of a family gathering.

“We do this in memory of Julie and to raise money to help Pilgrims Hospices to continue the wonderful work they do for the east Kent community.”

Leila Ilkhan, Pilgrims Community Fundraising Manager, said: “It was lovely to meet Richard and Jo and to thank them personally for their support in such an ingenious and creative way.

“They also generously have a Pilgrims collection pot on their bar for extra fundraising, we are extremely grateful to everyone who makes a contribution.

Thank you for supporting in such an ingenious and creative way.

Leila Ilkhan, Pilgrims Hospices

“I think this is a great bit of fundraising and I would love to share to hopefully inspire others to think about how they could fundraise for Pilgrims.”

Please note: This fundraising took place before the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you would like to fundraise for Pilgrims Hospices in the future, the fundraising team would love to hear from you. Although much of our current fundraising activities are paused due to COVID-19, there are many ways you can still support the charity, including joining Pilgrims Lottery, giving a one-off donation or planning an event for later on this year. We hope, that in time, supporters will be filled with positive spirit and ready to think about how they can get involved when we can all join together again in creative ways such as The Four Heath Clover.

Thank you again. Your support is very much appreciated!

This year alone, Pilgrims Hospices has to raise £11 million through voluntary donations in order to run our full range of services. Sponsorship raised through events like these helps us to continue caring for local people at the end of their lives.

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6th April 2020

Thanet Police Theatre Club raises £4,400 for Pilgrims Hospices

The annual pantomime production from the Thanet Police Theatre Club panto has raised an incredible £4,400 for Pilgrims Hospices care.

Cast members from the magical and hugely entertaining ‘Wizard from Auss’ met with Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager for Pilgrims Hospice Thanet to celebrate the fantastic donation in support of the much-loved local hospice.

Martin Luke Douglas, the production co-director said: “Pilgrims Hospices is an important part of our community, we know our donation will be contributing to vital services for local people. I would like to thank everyone for continuing to support them at such difficult times for all of us.”

Karen said: “Each year the Police Theatre Club pantos are such great entertainment for the whole family. This year, it was even more special for me, it was my favourite.

“I would like to give a special mention to the most talented Jeff Barker, who played the scarecrow; what a wonderful performance, he’s so talented and the character was surreal!

“I have to say the whole cast were absolutely brilliant. I cannot wait to see next year’s Jack and the Beanstalk production.”

Pilgrims Hospices send hearty congratulations to the Theatre Club for giving such a brilliant performance and grateful thanks for this generous donation. The hospices are dependant on the local community to help support end-of-life care services; without them, we simply wouldn’t be here.

Please note: All photos featured were taken before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Care is provided from three hospice sites in Thanet, Canterbury and Ashford, 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.

10th March 2020

Where’s Wally?

The annual Paws 4 Pilgrims fundraising dog walk will take place on Sunday 29 March in Deal. Tara Baltera from Margate with her daughter Lily are taking part, they will be walking Wally, the 5-year-old Dalmatian on the 5km walk along Deal’s beautiful coastline.

The gorgeous spotty dog is a rescue dog from Dalmatian Welfare and belongs to Tara’s friend Paul who will be joining them for their Sunday morning stroll to support end-of-life care within the local community.

By supporting our event you are helping to raise important funds and to help people to live well in every moment.

Karen Kenward, Pilgrims Hospices

Tara said: “We don’t have a dog ourselves and Lily loves dogs; we often take Wally out for walks, she’s wonderful company and enjoys lots of exercise, so it’s good for all of us.

“We enjoy supporting local good causes and this particular event is always such a lovely day. We always stay for the dog show after the walk and have a number of rosettes to show for it! Lily enjoyed winning dog most like its owner.”

The walk takes the dogs and their walking buddies along the Deal coastline towards Walmer before returning. After the walk, there’s a fun dog show with lots of classes for furry friends to take part in. Could your dog be the ‘fastest sausage catcher’?

Come along and watch, there will be refreshments and stalls to enjoy too, it’s a great day out for the whole family.

Karen Kenward, Pilgrims Community Fundraising Manager at the Thanet hospice said: “It will be great to see Wally and her friends again this year. There are lots of our regular Paws 4 Pilgrims supporters registered and many new to the event too.

“By supporting our event you are helping to raise important funds and to help people to live well in every moment.”

You can register to take part here or come along and register on the day.

Event information

8.30am: Registration opens

10.30am – 12pm: 5k walk along the Deal coastal route

12pm – 3.30pm: Fun dog and agility shows

Entry prices

Early bird entry (closes 15/03/2020)

12 years and over: £8 / 11 years and under: £4 / Family: £20*

Standard entry (closes 22/03/2020) and on the day entry

12 years and over: £10 / 11 years and under: £6 / Family: £30*

* Family entry includes two people of 12 years and over plus two people of 11 years and under.

Fun dog and agility shows

There will be a fun dog and agility show after the walk, which dogs can be entered into for £2 per class or £1 per class for those who have entered the walk.

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 care on its wards, in people’s own homes and through the Wellbeing Programme held in Pilgrims Therapy Centres.

1st August 2019

Fabulous fundraising in memory of popular local man

Stephanie Wickenden and members of her family presented an incredible £8,319.37 fundraising cheque to Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury recently. The money had been raised in memory of Steph’s husband Mark who was cared for at the hospice in July 2018.

Mark’s sister, Debbie Todd, is a specialist infection control lead nurse at the hospice, she said: “Our family is Canterbury born and bred and Mark was well known and loved by many who knew him from his school days and his career locally as a manager within the construction industry for Barrett’s. He fought bravely against cancer, continuing to work until just a few weeks before he lost his four-year battle aged 53 on 14th July 2018.

“My sister-in-law Steph, cared for Mark at home with support from Pilgrims community team, until he came to the Canterbury hospice in his final days where his care continued: he passed away close to his family and pain-free.”

I would like to thank everyone who kindly donated and helped to raise such an incredible sum.
Stephanie

Steph explained the money had been raised by generous donations at Mark’s funeral amounting to more than £1,100, she said: “More than 400 people attended the funeral; Mark had always lived in Canterbury and retained so many friendships from his youth. It truly was a wonderful tribute to his caring and open personality.

“The Canterbury Golf Club where Mark was a keen club member, held a Mark Wickenden memorial golf day in April of this year which raised almost £4,300.

“And, finally an incredible £1,650 donation from staff and friends of Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Kent Ward, I joined them in an awesome climb over the London 02 to raise money for Pilgrims in memory of Mark.

“I would like to thank everyone who kindly donated and helped to raise such an incredible donation in Mark’s memory. It’s a comfort to know that he was so important to people within the local community.” Steph added.

The memorial golf day was extremely special with over 70 golfers taking part. Mark loved his golf and made many friends at the Canterbury club who already support Pilgrims as their charity of the year.

The club’s flag was at half-mast and the family wore Mark’s favourite Liverpool team colour T-shirts printed with his smiling face for the event. Many local businesses and friends made donations and gifts for raffles prizes, which helped to raise such an amazing sum for Pilgrims care.

The hospice hopes to purchase a specialist bariatric chair with the money raised. Debbie said: “We can hire these chairs when required but it would be wonderful to have one on-site for patients’ comfort. Mark really appreciated being able to sit in comfort, it would be a lovely legacy.”

Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,400 people in East Kent coming to terms with an illness that sadly cannot be cured. The charity supports patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.

25th June 2019

Hundreds walk the Pilgrims Way for hospice care

Wye, Canterbury and Dover were buzzing with cheerful voices on Saturday 22 June as more than 600 happy walkers gathered on the Pilgrims Way Challenge charity fundraising walk.

Early estimations are that the event will raise more than £90,000 for Pilgrims Hospices!

Walkers enjoyed a 25km 35km or 55km hike through the beautiful rural countryside along one of England’s oldest and least trodden national trails. Young and old alike took to the rolling fields and picturesque villages along the Pilgrims Way to the historic city of Canterbury and onwards to a coastal finish at Dover Castle.

The Pilgrims sponsored walkers collectively walked over 21,500km between them, the equivalent of walking from Land’s End to John O’Groats more than five times!

In true Pilgrims style, walkers were supported throughout the journey with well-stocked rest stops where walkers could take a welcome break in the grounds of some of Kent’s amazing and historic churches. Delicious cakes, sandwiches and strawberry teas were a welcome treat at Chartham Hatch and a hot meal at the Canterbury hospice for walkers who were finishing the 25km route. For those who undertook the 35km and 55km routes, Pilgrims staff and volunteers welcomed the walkers with snacks and treats in Patrixbourne, Womenswold and Waldershare before reaching their final destination and a hot supper at Dover Castle.

Every walker is an inspriation and it’s our pleasure to support them every step of the way.

Robert Grew, Pilgrims Hospices

All participants received a medal in recognition of their fantastic achievement.

Robert Grew, Pilgrims Events Manager, said: “It was incredible to see so many people turning out to walk the Pilgrims Way Challenge in support of our end-of-life care. It was an enjoyable but tough day for all, especially with how warm it was in the sun, and with a bit of determination, the finish was finally reached.

“Every single walker is an inspiration and it’s our pleasure to support them every step of the way on the challenge as they raise vital funds for Pilgrims Hospices. The money they raise enables Pilgrims to continue caring for more than 2,400 people and their families each year, providing comfort, alleviating pain and enabling them to live well in the time they have.

“Our thanks go to everyone who took part in making the Pilgrims Way Challenge such a success – including our fantastic team of volunteers!”

The Pilgrims Way Challenge will return on Saturday 20 June 2020.

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.

21st June 2019

Verity shaves hair for charity

In June, Verity Metcalfe aged 12 from Ashford had her hair shaved off to donate to the Little Princess Trust and at the same time has raised over £1,100 for Pilgrims Hospices.

Sporting her new Miley Cyrus style haircut, Verity explained why: “When I was eight I came across a video about what happens when you shave your hair. I showed Mum and Dad and told them that I wanted to shave my hair too. They told me to wait a few years but when I was 10 I still wanted to do it. So they told me if I was serious, I needed to grow my hair long enough to have enough to donate.

“So I did! I grew my hair for two years and couldn’t wait for the shave; I was so excited and had no fear at all. I feel proud of myself for raising so much money and for giving my hair to help someone feel better about themselves.”

Verity’s mother Laura said: “Verity has always been a thoughtful girl, she always puts others before herself so it was no surprise when she said that she wanted to cut her hair off and donate it to a specialist wig maker who styles wigs for children with various illnesses. Her thought behind this being that her hair will grow back whereas theirs may not. She wanted to make someone less fortunate feel happier.

I feel proud of myself for raising so much money.

Verity

“After growing her hair for over two years and deciding to cut it she wanted to raise some money in the process! She chose Pilgrims Hospices because we have known a couple of people who have been cared for by Pilgrims and also was inspired as she watched me take part in the Firewalk the previous year. Her dad and I are extremely proud of her and what she has achieved and we cannot thank everyone enough for their generosity and support.”

Isabel Smith, Community Fundraising Officer, said: “As a team, we are inspired by Verity, who has chosen to do something so generous thinking only of others. The money she has raised will enable Pilgrims Hospices to offer the care and support needed to the next family that needs us.”

If you would like to help raise funds for Pilgrims Hospices, click here for more information and see how together we can make a difference.

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 new wellbeing and social programme supporting people after they are diagnosed to live well and stay independent.