More than 600 walkers took part in the award-winning Pilgrims Way Challenge charity walk on Saturday 11 June 2022. The event has raised £74,000 this year, with early estimations being that the event will exceed £90,000 for Pilgrims once all fundraising is counted.
With three distances to choose from, 25km, 35km or 55km, walkers of all fitness levels were able to enjoy the rural beauty of one of England’s oldest and least-trodden national trails.Starting from the picturesque village of Wye within the Kent Downs AONB, those taking part walked through the scenic Stour Valley, to historic Canterbury, and onwards to finish inside the inner bailey of Dover Castle, journeying through some of the most charming villages in Kent, whilst being surrounded by endless green fields, rolling hillside views, quiet country lanes, historic buildings and ancient woodlands.
This popular annual charity fundraising event goes from strength to strength, with hikers and runners joining from across east Kent and further afield, all of them passionate about their walking, and everyone raising money to support end-of-life care at Pilgrims Hospices and within the community.
The weather was glorious, as walkers started their mammoth challenge. New faces joined many returning supporters who know the event is well planned, with rest stops, snack stations and bundles of volunteers and staff to support and encourage them along the way.
Robert Grew, Pilgrims Events Manager said: “It was fantastic to welcome so many Pilgrims hikers to another sun-filled Pilgrims Way Challenge at the weekend. I’m in awe of their determination, and extraordinary efforts to march so many miles in support of the compassionate, end-of-life care that Pilgrims Hospices provide. They really stepped up to the challenge and I’d certainly say they’ve earned putting their feet up for a while! I’d also like to say a big thank you to the many dedicated staff and volunteers, without whom the event couldn’t take place. Their boundless enthusiasm and friendly smiles kept participants going all the way to the finish.”
One walking (if not staggering) event statistic is, those taking part jointly achieved an incredible 21,475 kilometres on the day. That’s the equivalent of walking from London to Rome 7 times!
Linda Macdonald from Folkestone completed the 35 km route. She said:
“The walk was so well organised and the volunteer teams cheered us on, fed and watered the participants too. All with good humour and encouragement. It was a hot day, but the various churches along the route offered tranquillity and shade. Thank you all for such a great event.”
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.
10th June 2022
Kate braves skydive for Pilgrims Hospices in memory of dad
Kate Jordan from Herne Bay is aiming to raise £3,000 for Pilgrims Hospices by braving a tandem skydive on 17 July 2022.
She has already raised more than £1,000 for the local hospice charity in memory of her dad, Nicholas Jordan, who was cared for by Pilgrims in 2020.
Nicholas was a talented graphic designer and a photographer, and ran a small business – Blame Poppy Pictures – drawing portraits of dogs. He was a loving father to Kate and her sister, Beth.
Kate said: “Dad was one of the funniest people. He was so unbelievably caring and kind, I really couldn’t have asked for anything more. He was my rock through everything, always supporting me and putting life into perspective for me. Most importantly, he was an excellent father to Beth and I.”
When Nicholas was diagnosed with mesothelioma, Pilgrims supported the whole family both during his illness and after his death.
Kate continued: “When my sister and I experienced the worst day of our lives, aged just 17 and 20, the hospice supported and cared for not only our dad, but us as a family. From the simple, kind gestures like making us a cup of tea, to answering all of our questions honestly, and most importantly, making sure my dad was comfortable till the end.
“After he passed, the effort they made to make sure that we would have a comforting last image of our dad was something I will always be beyond grateful for. Not only did we receive help from the hospice during my dad’s time there, but I was also offered counselling, which helped me so much during the second COVID-19 lockdown and really allowed me to come to terms with what had happened and how to adjust to life after such a loss.”
When my sister and I experienced the worst day of our lives, aged just 17 and 20, the hospice supported and cared for not only our dad, but us as a family. From the simple, kind gestures like making us a cup of tea, to answering all of our questions honestly, and most importantly, making sure my dad was comfortable till the end.
Kate
To give back and say thank you, Kate will take on a tandem skydive for Pilgrims on 17 July 2022. With the support of family and friends, she is hopeful that she can reach and exceed her £3,000 fundraising target so that other families can benefit from Pilgrims’ vital care.
Kate said: “I’m so excited, but slightly terrified! I like to think that I will be making my dad proud by doing this skydive in his memory; even though he is no longer with us, I know he will be looking down on me on the day.
“My family and friends have been very generous by donating, sharing myJustGiving page and helping me organise charity quiz nights that will boost my fundraising. I’ve also received a lot of help from Pilgrims, specifically Lydia Todd in the fundraising team, who has guided me on the best and most effective ways to raise money.
“Pilgrims is a charity that will always be close to my heart. I want them to be able to continue their incredible work, providing families just like mine with sanity and comfort at the most difficult time of their lives. Pilgrims made the hardest day of my life a little less hard, and for that I will always be grateful.”
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.
6th June 2022
Pilgrims Hospice Ashford needs your support for its Summer Fair
Pilgrims Hospices’ much-loved annual Summer Fair is back at The Farriers Arms in Mersham again this year and will be held on Saturday 13 August from 11am to 4pm.
This annual fair is a wonderful day and an amazing fundraiser for the hospice, but to make it possible requires an abundance of bottles, chocolates, prizes and much more.
Pilgrims is asking the local community to help out by donating any unopened bottles, from champagne to shampoo, chocolates, unwanted gifts, new craft items and new toys and games.
The success of the day is always down to the kindness of the local community, who every year have joined in with support and donated a great deal of items to make the day so enjoyable. Estate agents Andrew & Co are kindly sponsoring the fair and also holding donation points at their offices in Ashford, Cheriton and New Romney. The Beehive at 1-3 North Street, Ashford is also helping by holding a collection point. Alternatively, you can drop items into a collection box held outside the lower reception at the hospice site on Hythe Road, Ashford TN24 0NE.
There will be a wide range of traditional stalls to visit on the day with something for everyone and all ages. Afternoon teas will be on offer, games, crafts, tombolas and much more. There will also be a visit from a beautiful princess, a mesmerising magician, and a few superheroes will be flying in to help keep the children entertained.
There will be free parking in the field behind The Farriers Arms. Entry to the fair will be free, with donations welcomed.
Pilgrims Hospices is a charity that helps people facing incurable illness to live well in every moment, offering care and support for people where and when it’s needed. To do so, they need to raise £11 million each year from voluntary donations.
For more details about the fair, visit pilgrimshospices.org/summer-fair or contact the fundraising team:
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.
Popular Thanet 5k Colour Run returns to Margate
With an explosion of colour, the family-friendly 5k colourful Colour Run event comes to Palm Bay Green, Cliftonville, Margate later this year.
Each year, this popular event brings fun and laughter to fundraising for Pilgrims Hospices, and awareness of how important it is to support the local charity in its continued end-of-life care within the community.
So far, over £178,000 has been raised since it was established in 2016; this year, Pilgrims would love to achieve the magical £200,000 with your help.
Karen Kenward, Pilgrims Community Fundraising Manager said: “We absolutely love this event, watching participants having so much fun while raising important funds for us, it’s just so uplifting.
“We have a wide variety of people who take part, so don’t be put off if you are not a runner, come and jog, walk or dance your way along our clifftop route. We just want you to have the best time, while knowing you are doing something really special for people who need our help the most.
“Some of our regular Colour Run participants are already registered, so please do come and join them, you can get the best price for entering if you register early. Help us to achieve our goal of 1,000 participants.”
Everyone who registers will get a white t-shirt to blast some colour on, some funky sunglasses and a paint sachet to start the experience with a colour explosion. The colour stations along the route will fill the air with clouds of brightly coloured powder, you will most certainly be multi-coloured when you return to receive a finisher’s medal.
Karen added: “The event takes place on Sunday 2 October but please register early and take advantage of our early bird entry. Ages 12 and over – £18, ages 11 and under – £12.Your registration fee and any fundraising you do will be making a huge difference for the people of east Kent who need our support now and into the future.”
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.
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 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.”
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.
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.
14th April 2022
Sponsor a Nurse appeal
None of us know when we might need hospice care, but your support has helped ensure we can continue to be here at the most difficult time in people’s lives.
Being faced with an illness that cannot be cured is something none of us want to think about, but we do all want to know that there will be someone to help us should we need them.
Since 2013, the Sponsor a Nurse appeal has raised an incredible £248,000 to support the care that Pilgrims Hospices offers.
Working within the hospice environment and meeting patients opens your eyes to what passion, empathy, dignity and respect truly mean. Working at Pilgrims gives us all time to appreciate what we have in our own lives, and puts the preciousness of life into perspective.
Beverley Allen, Community Registered General Nurse, Pilgrims Hospice Ashford
We take the time to listen
When a patient is referred to Pilgrims, we take the time to listen to and talk with them to find out what worries them most. We know that every patient is unique and we tailor all our care to what works best for them.
“I consider myself very privileged to support patients and their families at end of life; it underpins all that nursing is for me. We know that we can’t change the destination but we can change the journey.
Time, patience, specialist knowledge and humour keep us connected to our patients. We respect them as individuals and are able to connect on a human level, we give the care we would want and expect our loved ones to receive if they needed it and that is nearly all funded by the amazing general public.”
Sarah Martins, Senior Ward Sister, Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury
Bringing nurses to the bedside
Because we believe that everyone has the right to care, comfort, compassion and dignity in their final days, weeks, months or years, we provide all of our care free of charge.
“Pilgrims is a wonderful organisation to work for and I feel very privileged to come to work here every day. My role is so varied, involving community, clinic and home visits, and I never know what each day will bring. It is humbling spending time with patients who open their hearts and allow us to accompany them on their journeys.”
Mandy Timms, Advanced Nurse Practitioner
Giving the gift of care
Pilgrims is here so that patients do not come to their end-of-life journeys in pain or distress.
By sponsoring a nurse, our supporters have helped to ease pain, offer comfort, provide reassurance and help someone live their life to the full in the time that they have.
We support the whole person’s wellbeing to help them really live their last days. We treat people as individuals by offering them choices.
If you would like to continue supporting Pilgrims nurses, you can do so by joining Always Caring, a club of committed supporters who choose to make regular, monthly donations to Pilgrims Hospices.
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.