Saxophonist Chris Peters can regularly be seen and heard entertaining people in Market Square Faversham, the popular local character plays his jazzy tunes to raise funds for local charity, Pilgrims Hospices. He has raised thousands in vital funds for the charity since he started in July 2018.
Chris who is happily retired now, after 50 years working in engineering as a tool room precision machinist says: “I love busking, it’s great fun. Faversham is the perfect place for me to play, I love it. I have made many new friends along the way and to bring a bit of cheer, and raise money for such a good cause makes me very happy. The volunteers in Pilgrims Hospices Faversham charity shop suggested I give it a go, so a big thank you to them, I don’t think I would have been brave enough to do it without their encouragement.
“My personal reason for wanting to support Pilgrims, is that my very good neighbour Charlie, passed away in the Canterbury hospice. He was my next door neighbour for 53 years. He was helped very much by your staff there, and I saw the care that he received. It is very obvious that the people of Faversham appreciate the hospice too, and are very supportive.”
The volunteers in Pilgrims Hospices Faversham charity shop suggested I give it a go, so a big thank you to them, I don’t think I would have been brave enough to do it without their encouragement.
Chris
Chris has always played guitar; took up clarinet some 30 years ago and then the saxophone 20 years ago. “I think I’ll stick with this now!!” He added.
He loves to play anything ‘old fashioned’ especially from 1930s to the 1950s and doesn’t have any particular favourites, as there were so many great songwriters of those times. However, he does enjoy the great tones of his favourite sax player Scott Hamilton.
“I have done a few little gigs locally, including The Yarn Dispensary, New Year’s Eve for Castella French wine bar, and a local food market for the council. I think my highlight would be when I played for a wedding at Eastwell Manor, it was really scary, but something I will never forget.” Chris added.
Leila Ilkhan, Pilgrims Community Fundraising Manager said: “A big thank you to Chris for his wonderful support for Pilgrims Hospices, which is helping our nurses, doctors and wider teams to be there for those living with a terminal illness. The support from Chris and those donating as they enjoy his music is so important to our charity and the families we care for across east Kent.”
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.
28th January 2021
Local fundraisers hit a big milestone for Pilgrims Hospices!
Bramling Fundraising Group have been raising vital funds for Pilgrims Hospices since 2003 and over the years have organised fun and popular events for the whole community to enjoy. At the beginning of 2020 the calendar was filled with their regular events and activities, many of which take place in The Haywain.
The group had to quickly change focus with the news of COVID-19 and continued on by going virtual for quiz nights, creating an online community for people in lockdown. Their popular pantomime unfortunately had to cut 4 leading stars adapting to new restrictions with Snow White and the Three Dwarves and Elvis still made a glitzy, socially distanced appearance in The Haywain pub garden during the hot summer.
The group turned a challenging year into a complete triumph, reaching a special fundraising milestone. Led by Chairman Kim Tatman, the group of fantastic fundraisers have raised over £100,000 in aid of Pilgrims with a grand total of £101,129.46 since they first began.
Bramling’s support and the community spirit shown every year enables Pilgrims Hospices to continue delivering our vital work.
Leila Pilgrims
Delighted with such a successful year of fundraising, Kim said: “Generous donations boosted the coffers, we were able to beat 2019’s total raising £11,171.75, all of which has been donated to Pilgrims.
“We are hugely grateful to all who assisted and contributed, helping us to continue and adapt our fundraising.”
Canterbury Community Fundraising Manager, Leila Ilkhan said: “We are thrilled to bits that the Bramling Fundraising Group have reached such a milestone despite a challenging year of fundraising. Their support and the community spirit shown every year enables Pilgrims to continue delivering our vital work, supporting patients and their families here in east Kent.
“Thank you to everyone who have helped make this achievement possible.”
Fundraising Groups raise vital funds by committing to regular fundraising in their local communities on behalf of Pilgrims Hospices. Turning interests into events and activities and raising vital funds each year means Pilgrims is still here; still caring for patients living with an incurable illness and their families. If the Bramling Fundraising Group has inspired you then please contact [email protected] to find out more about supporting Pilgrims Hospices.
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.
30th October 2020
Vicky’s creative art raises much needed cash for Pilgrims
Vicky Thomas from Dover decided to turn her creative hands to help her local community and draw awareness to everyone in these difficult times we find ourselves in. Her talent has raised a wonderful £350 for Pilgrims Hospices
Vicky said: “This all started because people were putting rainbow drawings in their windows to support the NHS; my daughter wanted us to do it too, however our house is set back from the road so I decided to use a patio slab instead and put it out the front.
“I had a few patio slabs left over from some building work, so decided to get creative and drew a teddy bear with the slogan “apart but never alone” and put it at the end of our road which is a popular dog walking route, along with a Banksy style NHS nurse by the village pharmacy.
“People seemed to really like them and things just took off! I received a number of requests and suggestions from locals in the village and from people coming into the village to visit the slab trail. The village really got behind the whole idea and wanted to make sure that a good deal of the slabs remained in the village even after lock down. The River Parish Council asked if they could keep some in exchange for a charitable donation which I thought was a great idea.
35 handpicked slabs are now under lock and key waiting to be mounted in the recreation ground where they will hopefully remain.”
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager said; “Vicky and the local community are providing ongoing donations which enable us to continue our important work. We are still here and still caring for patients on our wards and in their homes, and will be there for the next person that needs us.
“Their support is so important during these challenging times. We cannot thank you all enough for every penny donated to support our care. Thank you Vicky for being so creative and thinking of us at such difficult times for all.”
If you would like to take on a challenge in support of our charity, please contact: [email protected], or call 01277 812609, we would love to hear from you.
We need you more than ever, Thank you.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,500 people in east Kent coming to terms with an illness that sadly cannot be cured. The charity supports patient’s to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
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.
12th August 2020
Head shave raises £2,000 for Pilgrims Hospices
Sally Gibbs has supported Pilgrims Hospices with a spontaneous head shave to help raise vital funds to support end of life care. To make this challenge even more memorable Sally’s head was shaved by her mother- in-law, Sylvia Gibbs who is currently receiving care in Margate.
Sally said; “I would just like to thank everyone that supported me and donated towards this amazing charity.
“Pilgrims Hospices go above and beyond to help and care for loved ones. I just wanted to show my appreciation for everything they do.
“By shaving my head, together we raised £2,000, which was a great effort. Thank you and everyone and stay safe.”
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager said; “Having incredible people like Sally and Sylvia supporting our charity helps us to continue to provide daily palliative care throughout east Kent to the next person that needs us.
“£25 would pay for one hour of specialist nursing care in one of our inpatient units. Sally, Sylvia, family and friends have helped provide 80 hours to the next person that needs us.
“Thank you to each and everyone of you that made a donation to make this possible, and most of all thank you Sally for taking on this courageous challenge.”
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.
If you would like to take on a challenge in support of our charity, please contact:
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,500 people in east Kent coming to terms with an illness that sadly cannot be cured. The charity supports patient’s to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
4th August 2020
Pedal power for Pilgrims
Cycling enthusiast and dedicated Pilgrims Hospices supporter Peter Brun, took his lockdown daily exercise allowance to a different level to help raise funds for his local hospice charity. Peter who is 80 years old, has been cycling the lanes around his home in Hawkinge to reach a distance of 317 miles; the distance between his home and Barnard Castle in Durham. His tongue in cheek play on this much published journey has helped him to raise £500 for hospice care.
Peter smiled and told us: “I’ve actually cycled 417 miles; I decided to do a little sight-seeing along my way too. Some blue-bell woods, local landmarks and beauty spots have made my journey very rewarding.
“I wanted to do something really positive with my daily exercise during these challenging times. My aim to cover the Barnard Castle mileage and get the rides sponsored for an organisation who’s fundraising has been hit by the pandemic, seemed like an excellent way to support them.
“I often went out with a camera and captured our wonderful countryside in its glory. Cycling during the lockdown has been very pleasant, the roads were less busy which has allowed walkers and cyclist to enjoy the lanes so much more than in ‘normal’ times. It was good to be reminded of what a beautiful area we live in.”
I wanted to do something really positive with my daily exercise during these challenging times.
Peter
The rides were not all trouble free; his bike suffered some slow punctures along the way but nothing that kept him for continuing his journeys.
Peter added: “Thank goodness for internet shopping which enabled me to replenish cycle repair kits and to obtain tyre liners to reduce the chance of puncturing. But more importantly, thank you to those who have made a donation to Pilgrims Hospices. I have enjoyed my rides and if you would like to make a donation to my Just Giving page, that would be wonderful too.”
Peter had been waiting for surgery which was postponed due to the COVID-19 lockdown, his cycling helped him to stay fit and well enough to be re-assessed, and he will have knee replacement surgery quite soon. We wish Peter a speedy recovery.
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.
15th July 2020
Sarah and ‘Tony’s Team’ think on their feet for Pilgrims
“It’s been one year since we said goodbye to Tony, my stepfather, to lung cancer. I cannot tell you how much the resource and support of Pilgrims Hospices, Canterbury meant to us, and Tony, during 2019. The hospice was absolutely invaluable and nurses, doctors and staff were there for us through the toughest time.”
On Sunday 12 July 2020, Sarah should have been stood at the start line of the Herne Bay 10k; a local running event organised and hosted by @InvictaEastKentAC. The decision to run in the Herne Bay 10k as part of #TeamPilgrims was a straight forward one for Sarah, she said: “I chose to run the Herne Bay 10k this year as it encompasses the place Tony lived and loved with my mum during his final years. We had so many happy memories at the Hampton Park and at the pier crabbing; it just felt right to join.”
Sarah’s stepfather Tony
Unfortunately, like many events across the country, due to COVID-19 the local running event was cancelled for the safety of the participants, volunteers and the local community. Sarah didn’t let this stop her though. Along with ‘Tony’s Team’, a group of friends who fundraise together for Pilgrims in memory of Tony, they ran their very own Herne Bay 10k; same route, same day, same purpose! They even received well-deserved medals and certificates when they crossed the finish line
We were determined to not let COVID-19 affect our important fundraising event.
Sarah
When asked why they chose to do their own Herne Bay 10k Sarah said: “To go through losing someone during a pandemic is unthinkable. Pilgrims Hospices need our support now more than ever. They have lost income from many fundraising events and their shops and yet, they will still be helping countless families through their darkest hours. In the August of 2019, we set up ‘Tony’s Team’ and challenged ourselves to cycle 25-miles at Divas on Wheels. We were overwhelmed to raise £747 in memory of Tony for Pilgrims Hospices. We are aiming to raise £500 this year, but would love to round off the total amount raised for Pilgrims, from both events, to £1,500 if we can!”
‘Tony’s Team’ have not only reached their target, but have smashed it! Generous friends and family have come out in full force to support them, and have helped them raise £914 for their Herne Bay 10k. This means that their total raised for Pilgrims Hospices is £1,661!
It is thanks to people like Sarah, and ‘Tony’s Team’, that we are able to care for over 2,500 patients each year, whether this is in one of our three inpatient units in Ashford, Canterbury and Margate, or in patient’s own homes. The money raised by ‘Tony’s Team’ could cover the cost of our community care teams at one of our sites for just over 24 hours
Sarah, and ‘Tony’s Team’, are fundraising for Pilgrims to ensure that future families can receive the dedicated care and support that theirs did at such a difficult time. Of their fundraising Sarah said: “We were determined to not let COVID-19 affect our important fundraising event. We had family and friends supporting along the route to cheer us along! This is such an important cause. We are thrilled to have still managed to raise awareness and important funds for Pilgrims Hospices during this time. We are lucky to have Pilgrims Hospices in east Kent and together, we can keep it supporting other families in need.”
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.
