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.

     

     

     

    3rd July 2020

    Stepping it up for local hospice care

    Gemma Letchford from Dover set herself a charity challenge to raise vital funds for Pilgrims Hospices. Pilgrims has very quickly become a charity close to Gemma’s heart after her Dad Johnny spent his final moments at Pilgrims in Canterbury in 2019. With the support of her family and friends she dedicated her latest challenge to her Dad, Nan and dear friend Colin.

    Gemma’s love of walking played an important part in helping her to grieve for her Dad. For her and her family, Pilgrims in Canterbury quickly became their second home.

    To help support the vital end of life care that Pilgrims delivers to over 2,500 patients living with a terminal illness and their families each year, Gemma pledged to walk 500km throughout the month of June.

    “Everyone there was so kind and compassionate, we will forever be in their debt and helping to raise vital funds for this wonderful charity is a great way for us to give something back.”

    Congratulations Gemma from everyone at Pilgrims Hospices!

    Over the last year, Gemma has raised nearly £3,000 and through her latest challenge she exceeded her expectations and has raised over £800 which could pay for 32 hours of specialist nursing care in one of our inpatient units.

    Gemma’s friends and family joined her for some of her walks including a very special walking buddy, her daughter Airlie who made her mum work even harder pushing her pram along the way!

    Congratulations Gemma from everyone at Pilgrims Hospices!

    Gemma has set up a Just Giving page to raise vital funds for Pilgrims Hospices. There is still time to show your support for her challenge here.

    There are so many ways that you can continue to support Pilgrims.  Click here for some virtual fundraising ideas.

    If you would like to take on a challenge in support of Pilgrims we would love to hear from you. Please contact our fundraising team.

    We need you more than ever; our local community means everything to us.


    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. 

     

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