Thousands raised at Pilgrims Hospices Christmas Fair
Hundreds attended the Pilgrims Hospices annual Christmas Fair on Saturday 22 November 2025 held at PGL Beyond, Grosvenor Hall, Ashford, where over £14,500 was raised.
Visitors enjoyed delicious refreshments, festive music, and games galore. There was lots to keep children entertained in the craft corner, including decorating a gingerbread shape and painting a plate. Father Christmas and his elves managed to find the time to join us and handed out presents to lots of excited children.
Many local companies and organisations showed their support and donated towards the weekend. With special thanks to PGL Beyond, Kingswood, Grosvenor Hall for the use of their wonderful venue, and our sponsor, Ultima Care.
Community Fundraising Manager, Louise Newman, said:
“A huge thank you from the Pilgrims Fundraising team. We really couldn’t make these amazing events happen without your help. We are grateful to everyone who donated items or joined us on the day; it was a fantastic day and an amazing amount was raised. With the support of over 90 volunteers, we have been able to raise vital funds for Pilgrims!”
Our next Ashford event is our Christmas Tree Recycling campaign, which is a great opportunity to get your real Christmas tree collected by our teams of Pilgrims volunteers. Find out more atpilgrimshospices.org/treerecycling.
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices care for thousands of people across east Kent, with services provided from its three hospice sites in Ashford, Canterbury, and Thanet, as well as in patients’ own homes. It costs over £17.2 million annually to run these services, much of which comes from the generous support of the local community.
13th October 2025
Step into a Christmas Wonderland at Pilgrims Hospices Festive Fair!
Families are invited to kick off the festive season in style at Pilgrims Hospices’ much-loved Christmas Fair, returning to PGL Beyond, Grosvenor Hall, Kennington on Saturday 22 November 2025, from 11am to 4pm.
This year, the Fair promises a magical mix of festive fun for all ages, with seasonal stalls, unique gifts, live entertainment, children’s crafts, and classic Christmas games.
Every pound raised will help Pilgrims continue providing essential end-of-life care for local families.
Meet Santa and make memories
No Christmas fair is complete without a visit from the man himself! Santa Claus will be flying in from the North Pole, accompanied by his elves, ready to greet children and spread festive cheer. Little ones can decorate gingerbread, paint festive plates, and try their hand at timeless favourites such as Snowballs in a Bucket, Pick a Candy Cane, and Snowman Hoopla.
Win big in the Christmas Grand Draw
The ever-popular Pilgrims Christmas Grand Draw is back with incredible prizes up for grabs, including:
1st prize: A two-night stay at Nooks’s Retreat (Airbnb)
Tickets cost just £1 and can be purchased in advance at Pilgrims Hospices in Ashford or on the day. Winners will be announced during the Fair.
A celebration of festive community spirit
Visitors can sip delicious seasonal refreshments while browsing a dazzling array of craft and gift stalls. The Fair is a wonderful chance to soak up the festive atmosphere, share laughter, and support a cause that touches countless lives in our local community.
Sally Dunn, a Pilgrims volunteer, said:
“I love being a volunteer at Pilgrims’ events – the atmosphere is so warm and friendly. People always want to hear more about the hospice and tell us how much it means to the community. It’s a real joy to be part of it.“
Lou Newman, Pilgrims Community Fundraising Manager, added:
“The Christmas Fair is a highlight in our calendar. It’s a chance for families to come together, celebrate the season, and support hospice care at the same time. Every ticket, every mince pie, and every game played helps us care for local people living with incurable illness.“
Event details
Venue: PGL Beyond, Grosvenor Hall, Kennington, Ashford, Kent TN25 9JZ
Date and time: Saturday 22 November 2025, 11am-4pm
Entry: Adults £3, children under 16 free / Visit Santa: £5 per child
Parking: Free on-site (car sharing and walking encouraged)
This Christmas, come together with Pilgrims Hospices to make memories that matter – and help local families in their time of need.
Pilgrims Hospices provides compassionate, specialist care free of charge to thousands of people in east Kent each year who are living with life-limiting conditions. Support is offered in patients’ homes, in the community, and at our three hospice sites in Canterbury, Thanet, and Ashford. We also run a 24-hour advice line.
