Despite the sweltering heat, hundreds of people attended Pilgrims Hospices’ annual Summer Fair on Saturday 13 August 2022, held at The Farriers Arms in Mersham, and showed their support for the local hospice charity.
Although Mother Nature didn’t play ‘fair’ on the day, as temperatures soared, people of all ages travelled from miles around in the hopes of winning prizes and bagging bargains.
Hospice staff and volunteers manned over 30 stalls, featuring games including the famous Bottle Tombola, Tin Can Alley, Paper Plane Game and Pilgrims Putting, which was new this year.
The 2022 Summer Fair was kindly sponsored by estate agents Andrew & Co, who had their own fundraising game to help raise additional funds. Faversham Ices also kindly sold ice creams – which were unsurprisingly popular on the day – donated by Consort, so that 100% of the sales went to the hospice.
Many local companies showed their support and donated towards the Grand Draw. Lifeboat Lettings donated a TV, the Wooplack Inn, Warehorne kindly gave a night’s stay and dinner for two, and the Kent Cookery School donated an evening course for two.
Magician Geoff Partner amazed the crowds with his magic tricks, and husband and wife duo Barry and Laura Ash wowed visitors as Superman and Wonder Woman.
Pilgrims Community Fundraising Manager for Ashford, Louise Newman, said: “We couldn’t be more grateful to all our supporters for going the extra mile and still volunteering or visiting on the day despite the extreme temperatures. As a local hospice, we are always so moved by the generosity of our communities. Whether people donated items or offered to lend a hand on the day, their kindness all adds up to make a huge difference for our patients.
Special thanks to Landlords Lindsey Best and John Hockley from The Farriers Arms who donated use of their field and supported the event from start to finish.
Over 70 volunteers joined forces before, during and after the event to ensure its success, and we are especially grateful for their ongoing support. On behalf of everyone who benefits from our services, may I say a huge thank you to all of the people who helped to make our Summer Fair possible.”
Pilgrims’ next fundraising event is the Folkestone Downs Challenge, a 36km hiking event designed to showcase the very best of Kent’s spectacular south coast, which will be held on Saturday 3 September.
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.
26th July 2022
Bus driver on the run for fun!
Garry Warren, (53) from Garlinge in Margate is a super fundraiser with a number of ½ marathon and marathon medals in his collection, including the world-famous London Marathon; he’s raised £1,000s for local charities over the years.
Garry and his youngest daughter Emma will be supporting his much-loved charity, Pilgrims Hospices with a change of pace when they take part in this year’s Thanet 5k Colour Run in October to raise important funds for hospice care.
Bus driver Garry, has colleagues from Stagecoach Westwood Cross Bus Garage taking on this fun event too. Garry said: “I’ve been a bus driver for 27 years, and my colleagues and fellow bus drivers have always been generous with their donations and support, I’d like to thank them, their help has been a huge part of my fundraising achievements over the years. I’d especially like to thank my great friend and colleague Dave Irving, who does so much to help me with my fundraising.
“I understand how important Pilgrims Hospices care is within the community, some of my colleagues have received care from the hospice. After receiving a cancer diagnosis, Pilgrims helped to manage their pain and provided support at the end of their lives.”
Originally from South London, family man Garry who has two daughters, Emma (13) and Katie (23), moved to Margate 12 years ago and said: “I definitely made the right move, my family and I love our local life. People are so friendly and we’ve settled and enjoy life away from the hustle and bustle of London.
“I’ve always been a keen runner ever since I was a teenager, and over the years, I’ve raised around £10,000 for local charities including Pilgrims Hospices. My generous friends and colleagues have supported my fundraising and I try to find some interesting and quirky ways to gain their support. Sometimes, if I’m planning to run with a friend, I will ask them to guess the gap between our finishing times, this usually achieves some laughs and keeps us going right through to the end of the run.
“My daughter Emma and me will be taking on all the fun of the Thanet 5k Colour Run and we hope to get well and truly colour splashed on our way around the route. I also have some Stagecoach colleagues who are taking part too.”
Why not join Garry and Emma and have the best Colour Run fun on Sunday 2 October? You can walk, jog or run the event, it’s all about the fun of taking part. As part of your registration fee, you will receive a white T-shirt, paint sachet and fun protective specs, the rest is up to you to go and have fun!
After checking in on the day, the event gets started with some fun warm-up music and then an amazing colour blast to start those taking part on their colour journey.
Early Bird entry is available until Sunday 31 July 2022 and standard entry closes on Monday 26 September 2022, so sign up soon to save some pennies!
See you there!
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.
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.
11th April 2022
Pilgrims Garden Festival: A summer date for your diaries!
The Pilgrims Garden Festival is back for a second year and Pilgrims Hospices can’t wait to welcome visitors back for a fun family day out.
Set to be hosted at Mount Ephraim Gardens on Sunday 24 July, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm, visitors will enjoy a vibrant market area filled with local food and drink producers, plant sellers and makers all from around Kent.
Once the shopping has been done, you will be able to head over for some lunch at the traditional tea party or BBQ before pitching up a blanket in the family-friendly picnic area.
DSC 0249 2
And new for 2022 is the bar area, which will be stocked by local drink producers which you will be able to discover and enjoy with a bit of live music.