Sian fundraised in memory of her mum, Denise, who received Pilgrims care in 2022.
Sian and Denise
Sian felt so supported by Pilgrims during her mum’s illness that she wanted to give back.
She said: “Pilgrims regularly checked in, ensuring she was comfortable with the huge changes in her life that she was about to face. They fitted aids throughout our home to support her as her physical strength gradually worsened.
“In the days leading up to her passing, she got sick. We phoned Pilgrims for advice, and they informed our GP and requested a scan. On the morning of the scan, Mum struggled to get up. I called Pilgrims and they told me to phone the hospital. This became one of the last days we spent with Mum; without Pilgrims’ guidance, we wouldn’t have had that extra time with her before she passed.
“During this period when Mum was unwell, I was on my own caring for her whilst trying to balance working a full-time job as well as making time for myself. Pilgrims acted as a friend, offering advice and support.
“No one can prepare you to lose a parent. Life is short, and although I would’ve loved to spend the rest of my life with Mum, having those extra days with her made me eternally grateful – and it’s all thanks to Pilgrims for listening to me on the other end of that phone call.
Sian took on The Big Half on Sunday 1 September 2024.
Sian at The Big Half 2024
Her friends, family and local gym – Muscle Hut in Ashford – helped her to raise more than £1,000 for Pilgrims.
She added:
“I’m so grateful for the support Pilgrims provided throughout a very difficult time on our family. They were always within arm’s reach, and I’m extremely excited to be giving back to them in any way I can.”
Pilgrims has a limited number of charity places in The Big Half 2025, you can secure your spot on the start line today, for free, with a pledge to raise at least £350 sponsorship for hospice care.
Pilgrims Hospices is a charity dedicated to providing expert care and support to patients with life-limiting illnesses in east Kent. Our services ensure comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients and their families, offering compassionate care both in hospice settings and in the community.
17th September 2024
A successful Pilgrims Hospices Golf Day raises £17,614 for hospice care
The Pilgrims Hospices Golf Day, held on Friday 13 September 2024 at Canterbury Golf Club, was a resounding success, raising an impressive £17,614 for Pilgrims Hospices care.
The event saw enthusiastic participation from 26 teams, with 103 golfers taking to the picturesque course at Scotland Hills, Littlebourne Road, Canterbury.
The day was filled with friendly competition, including on-course contests such as the Nearest-to-the-Pin and Longest Drive challenges, which added to the excitement and camaraderie among participants. The golfers enjoyed perfect weather, making the day even more enjoyable.
Leila Ilkhan, Pilgrims Hospices Corporate Fundraising Manager, expressed her delight with the event’s success, stating, “We were delighted to welcome teams to Canterbury Golf Club for our fourth annual charity Golf Day. We are incredibly grateful for everyone’s generosity and support, which has helped us to achieve our best Golf Day yet. Every pound raised ensures we can continue to deliver quality end-of-life care to people living with a terminal illness, and their families, in east Kent.”
Winners and highlights
Winning team: Park Farm Construction
Runners-up teams
1st runners-up: Tick for Business
2nd runners-up: Kreston Reeves
3rd runners-up: SEC Works Group
Nearest-to-the-Pin winners
Ben Cursons (Beau Bathrooms, Herne Bay)
John Shepherd (Canterbury Golf Club member)
Richard Sabin (Sibley Pares Chartered Surveyors)
Steve Goodwin (GVE Commercial Solutions)
Keith Fullager
Longest Drive winner: Tom Glass (Walker Construction)
Best team name:King of the Greenes (VR Sani Co)
The event’s success was made possible by the generous support of WPA Healthcare Practice, this year’s headline sponsor, Max Auto Colour, Halfway House sponsor, VR Sani-Co, 19th hole sponsor and all the local businesses who sponsored a hole on the course, along with Canterbury Golf Club’s hospitality and unwavering support. A special thank you goes to all the participants, and businesses who donated prizes, whose contributions helped make the day a memorable one.
After a day of friendly competition, the participants gathered for an afternoon celebration, which included a live auction, raffle draws, and the much-anticipated prize presentations.
Pilgrims Hospices extends its heartfelt thanks to all participants and sponsors who made this event possible. The funds raised will directly support essential care services, helping the charity continue its mission of providing compassionate, end-of-life care to those in need across east Kent.
Pilgrims Hospices is a charity dedicated to providing expert care and support to patients with life-limiting illnesses in east Kent. Our services ensure comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients and their families, offering compassionate care both in hospice settings and in the community.
11th September 2024
From grief to giving back: Carol Todd’s journey as a Stepping Stones volunteer
When Carol Todd first experienced the care and compassion of Pilgrims Hospices, she knew she wanted to give back.
“I wasn’t ready to volunteer immediately after losing my husband,” Carol reflects. “But when the time came, I wanted to give back to the charity that had given us so much.”
Carol taking on a wing walk
Carol’s journey as a volunteer is nothing short of remarkable. Not only has she taken on a role as a facilitator at the monthly grief cafe meetings and occasionally helps with the wellbeing group, but she has also embraced fundraising with enthusiasm and courage. In 2021, Carol completed her third wing walk, raising £3,800 for Pilgrims Hospices. Recently, she took to the skies once again, raising an additional £900 for the charity.
“I’ve done four wing walks now,” Carol says with a smile. “I suppose that makes me a frequent flyer!”
But for Carol, it’s not just about the thrill of the wing walk, it’s about giving back to the community that supported her during one of the most challenging times of her life. “Pilgrims Hospices allowed my husband to spend his final weeks at home, and for that, I am forever grateful. Volunteering is a way for me to help others going through similar experiences.”
Carol’s dedication to Pilgrims Hospices extends beyond her volunteer work. She has also been involved with local organisations such as the Chamber of Commerce, the local tourism association, and the Thanet Good Neighbours group during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her commitment to her community is evident in everything she does.
“What makes volunteering for Pilgrims Hospices special is the people,” Carol explains. “It’s the wonderful volunteers, and the staff like Annie, Simone, Jane and Zoe, and the incredible group of people we meet during such a difficult time in their lives. It’s a privilege to be part of this.”
Carol’s story is a shining example of how one person can make a difference. Her journey from grief to giving back is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of community support.
To learn more about how you can support Pilgrims Hospices or become a volunteer like Carol, visit pilgrimshospices.org/volunteer.
Pilgrims Hospices is a charity dedicated to providing expert care and support to patients with life-limiting illnesses in east Kent. Our services ensure comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients and their families, offering compassionate care both in hospice settings and in the community.
5th September 2024
Folkestone Downs Challenge raises £33,000 for Pilgrims Hospices
Pilgrims Hospices extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who took part in the Folkestone Downs Challenge on Saturday 31 August 2024.
This year’s event was a tremendous success, bringing together hundreds of dedicated participants who walked the stunning 36-kilometre route across the picturesque Folkestone Downs. The day was filled with energy, camaraderie, and a shared commitment to supporting end-of-life care in our community.
Starting from the Folkestone Harbour Arm, supporters climbed Kent’s famous white cliffs, and enjoyed breath-taking views over the English channel, Folkestone and Romney Marsh. Walkers even spotted some exotic animals as they passed by Port Lympne Safari Park, before making their way along the canal paths and promenade of Hythe to return to the Folkestone Harbour finish line.
The event, now a beloved fixture in the fundraising calendar, saw walkers of all ages and abilities take on the challenging terrain of the Folkestone Downs. With perfect weather — neither too hot nor too sunny — participants were able to fully appreciate the breath-taking scenery while raising vital funds for Pilgrims Hospices.
Billy Williams, Pilgrims’ event organiser, expressed his gratitude, saying, “We were blessed with such wonderful walking weather — the very best conditions to enjoy such amazing scenery. The support we received from the community was overwhelming, and it’s thanks to our incredible participants and volunteers that this event continues to be such a success.”
This much-loved event has raised an impressive £33,000, all of which will provide compassionate end-of-life care for patients and their families across the area.
We would like to extend a special thank you to our volunteers, whose unwavering dedication and hard work behind the scenes made this event possible. Without their incredible support, we simply could not run the Folkestone Downs Challenge. Your commitment ensures that Pilgrims Hospices can continue to offer essential care to those in need.
Pilgrims Hospices is a charity dedicated to providing expert care and support to patients with life-limiting illnesses in east Kent. Our services ensure comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients and their families, offering compassionate care both in hospice settings and in the community.
9th August 2024
Therapy team takes the plunge to support Pilgrims Hospices!
In September 2024, three brave members of the Pilgrims Hospices therapy team will conquer their fears and soar through the skies in a daring tandem skydive at Headcorn.
Their mission? To raise essential funds for Pilgrims Hospices, a charity dedicated to providing compassionate end-of-life care.
The team, comprised of physiotherapist assistant, Louise Jordan from Herne Bay, wellbeing practitioner team leader, Sharon Smith from Margate, and physiotherapy volunteer, Viera Howsam from Canterbury, is aiming to raise essential funds to support the life-changing work of Pilgrims Hospices.
Pilgrims Hospices, a charity providing compassionate and skilled end-of-life care to over 2,500 patients annually across its three inpatient units in Canterbury, Thanet, and Ashford, its Wellbeing centres and within patients homes, relies on voluntary contributions for 80% of its funding. Community support is vital to enabling the charity to continue its mission of helping people with life-limiting illnesses live well in both mind and body, making the most of the time they have.
I dream of raising enough for a minibus, many of our patients struggle with limited transport facilities in rural areas. It would be wonderful to make a huge difference in helping more patients access our therapy sessions, which are so important for their wellbeing.
Sharon Smith, Wellbeing Practitioner Team Leader
The inspiration for the skydive came from Viera, whose dedication as a volunteer supporting the Pilgrims therapy team with seated exercise groups fuelled her desire to do even more for those in their care.
“When Viera, our lovely volunteer, suggested the skydive, I was hesitant at first,” said Louise. “But as we talked about it, we realised we all had different goals — whether it was funding for the hospice patients’ gym or raising funds to purchase a minibus to help patients travel to therapy groups.
“We decided to take on the challenge together.”
Sharon said, “Honestly, Viera’s the wild one! She suggested it one afternoon, and the next thing we knew, we were all in! We are very excited and wish to thank everyone who has donated to our fundraising page and been so supportive of our slight moment of madness!”
The funds raised from the skydive will go towards improving services for patients.
Sharon said: “I dream of raising enough for a minibus, many of our patients struggle with limited transport facilities in rural areas. It would be wonderful to make a huge difference in helping more patients access our therapy sessions, which are so important for their wellbeing.”
Justine Robinson, Therapy and Wellbeing Services Manager, said:
“I know my team won’t keep their feet on the ground this time! They’ve been amazing, sharing their upcoming challenge with patients and keeping spirits high. Engaging patients with these stories is such an important part of our work, and it’s been a joy to hear patients share their own experiences. I wish the girls the very best on their high-flying adventure this September!”
The Therapy team’s skydive has already gathered significant support, with more than £3,000 raised so far. They hope to raise even more as the big day approaches. The event promises to be thrilling, with friends, family, and supporters cheering them on as they free-fall from 12,000 feet—all for a great cause.
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 supports patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
6th August 2024
Pilgrims Hospices Summer Fair raises over £15,000 at Sandyacres
On Sunday 28 July 2024, hundreds of community members gathered at Sandyacres Sports and Social Club for the annual Pilgrims Hospices Summer Fair, raising over £15,000 for our charity.
Visitors delighted in browsing a variety of stalls offering puzzles, crafts, children’s toys, and gifts. The children’s craft area was particularly popular, with youngsters creating beautiful artwork using various media.
Delicious treats, including cream teas and cakes, were served at our refreshment stall, while the BBQ was a hit among visitors.
Music filled the air with lively performances by Where’s My Thing, alongside a set by Radio Ashford’s very own Sam Griffin and Webbo.
Faversham Ices generously sold ice creams donated by Consort, ensuring that 100% of the proceeds went to the hospice. We extend a special thanks to Richard, who donated his time and van to make this possible.
We are deeply grateful to the many local companies and our media partners who supported the event by donating prizes for the Grand Draw, tombolas, and stalls.
We are immensely grateful for the unwavering support of our wonderful community. Your generosity enables us to continue making a difference in the lives of those facing life-limiting illnesses, ensuring that they and their families remain at the heart of everything we do.
Pilgrims Community Fundraising Manager for Ashford, Louise Newman, said:
“We are incredibly grateful to all our wonderful supporters and volunteers for making our ‘sunny’ Summer Fair a success. As a local hospice, we are continually moved by the generosity of our community. Every donated item, every helping hand — together, they make a significant difference to our patients and their families.”
Special thanks to AnnMarie Fuggle from Sandyacres Sports and Social Club who donated the use of the venue and supported the event from start to finish.
Over 90 volunteers came together before, during, and after the event to ensure its success. We are especially grateful for their continued support.
From one community to another, thank you. Your support ensures that our families continue to receive the care, compassion, and dignity they deserve during challenging times.
Pilgrims Christmas Fair Saturday 16 November 2024 at Grosvenor Hall, Ashford
Pilgrims Hospices is a local charity dedicated to providing compassionate end-of-life care and support to patients and their families across East Kent. Through their various programs and events, they strive to create a supportive and caring environment for all those they serve.
