Charity calendar sells out for second year running
Over the past two years, two local residents from Bridge, Sharon Arnold and Amanda Hills have worked tirelessly to create a calendar of the village. They asked local residents to send them photos of the village and surrounding areas. Over the past two years calendar sales have raised £1977.36 for Pilgrims Hospices.
Sharon Arnold said: “Amanda and myself decided to create a calendar for 2019, local residents who were keen to share their photos of Bridge were invited to contribute images.
“Once we had gained sponsorship from the Red Lion pub we then decided we would like to support Pilgrims with the proceeds of calendar sales.
“The hospices are an important part of our community, they have touched the lives of so many of our friends, neighbours and those within the wider community. This year we have been wonderfully supported by members of the village and would like to thank everyone for buying the calendars and helping us to help even more people who need end of life care.
“A huge thank you to Ralph Lombart, Marie Lockley and everyone who kindly donated.”
Jo Harris, Community Fundraiser for Pilgrims Hospices Canterbury said: “We are so very grateful for the continued support from the sales of the Bridge calendar. It’s wonderful to see residents and local businesses pulling together to make the calendar a success and supporting Pilgrims so generously. The amazing donation will help Pilgrims to continue being there for patients and their families, when and where they need us.”
If you are feeling inspired by Amanda and Sharon’s fundraising story and feel that you would like to organise a fundraising event in your local area, please email [email protected] for more information.
Pilgrims Hospices cares for more than 2,400 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.
The Ship Centurion sails in with 10K charity cheque
The Ship Centurion pub, on Whitstable High Street has been raising funds for Pilgrims Hospices. Landlord Roland Burks recently presented the hospice with an amazing cheque for £10,000, generously donated by his customers and staff over the past 18 months.
The traditional German pub has a long history stretching back to 1750; its well-established group of regular customers and staff were asked to nominate a local charity to support and, Pilgrims won by clear majority.
Visitors to the pub have been taking part in Sunday meat raffles, with a chance to win a selection of prizes from local vendor Jim’s Family Butchers. They’ve been busy pub quizzing, guessing the lottery bonus ball, taking part in a wide variety of raffles and activities throughout the year not to mention the sales of the locally famous Armin Arse rippers! (Spicy pickled eggs and onions).
We wish to say a huge thank you to Roland, his staff and customers.
Jo Harris, Community Fundraising Officer
Landlord Roland said: “Pilgrims Hospices was clearly the favourite local charity to support. Many of my customers have been touched by Pilgrims care, they speak so highly of the care and support received by loved ones and their families.
“We are delighted to have raised such a large total, our pub has a well-established group of regulars and we are very proud to nurture a real sense of community.”
Jo Harris, Pilgrims Canterbury Community Fundraising Officer said: “We wish to say a huge thank you to Roland, his staff and customers at the Ship Centurion for choosing to support Pilgrims Hospices.
“It is lovely to see the community supporting Pilgrims so generously, this will help us continue being there for patients and their families, when and where they need us.”
If you are feeling inspired by the Ship Centurion and would like to find out more information about the many ways you could support Pilgrims Hospices, please contact [email protected].
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 support patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
7th February 2020
Elham Christmas Market is a resounding success
Held on Thursday 24October, Elham Christmas Market took place at Elham Village Hall in support of Pilgrims Hospices. Once again this much-loved event was a resounding success, attracting over 500 visitors and raising an incredible £2902.38 towards the work of the hospice.
Carol Stevens has been organising the Christmas market for over 14 years. She said: “We want to continue to support Pilgrims because it is a local charity which sadly, all too many of us have had some personal experience. We just know they do a fabulous job supporting people when they are most in need and feel it to be a very worthy cause.
“I started the event on my own, but do get support from lovely local people, who either bake or offer to go on the rota for the door or in the kitchen. The team from the hospice also help with set up and signage to make sure everything runs smoothly.”
Entry is just £1 and, with over 35 stalls offering unique and special Christmas gifts selling everything from beeswax wrap to jewellery, handmade Christmas cards and decorations, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Local resident Gill Ramsey secures fabulous raffle prizes ranging from afternoon tea at the Ritz, Eurostar tickets, festive chocolates and Pandora jewellery, many local organisations and companies support the fair with donations for the raffle and refreshments.
The support Pilgrims receive each year from Carol and her team of volunteers helps us continue being there for patients and their families, when and where they need us.
Jo Harris, Community Fundraising Officer
Pilgrims Hospices volunteers and the local village community were on hand to help to set up the venue, baking cakes and ensuring homemade mince pies and festive mulled wine was available in abundance.
Jo Harris, Canterbury Community Fundraising Officer for Pilgrims Hospices said:
“The support Pilgrims receive each year from Carol and her team of volunteers helps us continue being there for patients and their families, when and where they need us.
“It is lovely to see the community pull together and support the event. We would also like to say a huge thank you all the staff and volunteers who made the day happen.”
A date for your diary: This year’s date for the Elham Christmas Market is confirmed as Thursday 29 October 2020.
If you are feeling inspired by Elham Christmas market and would like to organise a market or a fundraising event in your local area then please get in touch with [email protected] for more information.
If you or someone you know is coping with a life limiting illness and you think you may benefit from Pilgrims support, talk to your GP or Healthcare Professional about the options or click here to read about our Wellbeing Programme.
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.
18th June 2019
Snooker cues pot cash for Pilgrims
Ashford business owner Paul Wright raised £475 for Pilgrims Hospices care when he raffled two ‘top of the range’ snooker cues from his shop Cuephoria.
Paul said: “My dad Michael was cared for at Pilgrims Hospice Ashford over 4 years ago. He had complex health conditions which included cancer, MS and diabetes. He had been unwell for a number of years; then came to Pilgrims for respite care, where the team was able to spend time reviewing his extensive list of medication which in turn helped him to manage his conditions more easily.
I felt this was a good opportunity to do some fundraisng for such an important local charity.
Paul Wright
“Dad was 64 when he passed away, he was made to feel relaxed and comfortable at Pilgrims and the family remembers fondly how he spoke of taking great pleasure in a comfortable leisurely bath, something that he’d been unable to enjoy for some time, it made him very happy.”
“My passion for snooker gave rise to Cuephoria in July 2018. With such good contacts with top cue makers and a really supportive bank of customers, I felt this was a good opportunity to do some fundraising for such an important charity, doing such good work within our community.”
Paul sold raffle tickets to his visiting customers, the local pool league and on his Facebook site. In no time the tickets had been sold as far afield as Scotland.
“It was lovely to see some of the comments people left saying what a great prize and a great charity to support, I’m so pleased with the sum raised for Pilgrims,” Paul added.
Paul met with Isabel Smith, Pilgrims Community Fundraiser, recently to hand over the cheque. She said: “We would like to thank Paul for his fundraising efforts, it has been lovely to hear his kind words about the care Michael received.
“The £475 will go towards valuable nursing hours for patients we are caring for now.”
If you would like to fundraise for Pilgrims Hospices, please email [email protected] or find the contact details of your local fundraising office here.
Pilgrims Hospices cares for more than 2,300 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.
5th June 2019
Herne WI’s donation with a difference
Members from the Herne Women’s Institute visited Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury with baskets and boxes of wonderful toiletries to donate.
The gifts have been collected by the WI group members since January and have been generously given to Pilgrims to support the fundraising team in raising important funds for hospice care. The community-based organisation for women celebrates its 100th year in east Kent with countless charitable acts undertaken and friendships made.
Mary Jewiss, Sheila Trewinnard, and Jane Heminway brought along the donations which were gratefully received by Pilgrims fundraising team, Leila Ilkhan and Lydia Todd, and Hospice Services Manager, Adrian Matthews.
Mary from the WI said: “We’re very pleased to support our local Pilgrims hospice, it is such a well-known and much-loved local charity which touches the hearts of so many of us.
“The response from our members to our appeal was amazing, we were all able to make a contribution and we’re very happy knowing our gifts will really help to make a difference to people who need Pilgrims care.”
The ladies were delightful and so enthusiasic about supporting Pilgrims.
Lydia – Pilgrims Hospices
Mary explained: “The group meets once a month, it’s a great way to make new friends and socialise but more importantly being part of an organisation that helps within the community is very special.
“We love to catch up with tea and a good natter and keep ourselves busy knitting, baking, crafting and so much more while sharing time with friends.”
Lydia Todd, Pilgrims Community Fundraising Officer, said: “The ladies were delightful and so enthusiastic about supporting Pilgrims. The lovely collection of toiletries is a wonderful addition to our tombola parcels for the Canterbury Vintage Tea and Fair, which will take place on Sunday 21 July in the Westgate Gardens in Canterbury.
“We hope the Vintage Tea will attract lots of visitors to come and enjoy a leisurely afternoon with music and refreshments, gifts and so much more. The support from the WI ladies will help us to raise even more money on the day.
“We wish to send a huge thank you to all of the WI ladies from Herne for helping us with their generous gifts. We hope to see some of you in the beautiful Westgate Gardens for our summer tea party with a vintage twist.”
We are planning to support Pilgrims with some good home-made baking for Vintage Tea.
Jane – Herne WI
WI member Jane said: “The three of us are now retired, and enjoy having time to dedicate to the Women’s Institute key campaigns and initiatives. We are planning to support Pilgrims with some good home-made baking for Vintage Tea.”
If you would like to find out more about supporting a fundraising activity, volunteering to help at the Vintage Tea or baking a cake to be sold at the cream tea and cakes Vintage Tea cafe, please call Lydia or Leila 01227 812 621 or email [email protected].
If you or someone you know is coping with a life-limiting illness and you think you may benefit from Pilgrims support, talk to your GP or Healthcare Professional about the options or click here to read about our Wellbeing and Social Programme.
