Gifts in Wills help fund end of life care for 1 in 4 patients across east Kent, every year.
Jayne, a dedicated fundraiser and supporter, explains why she has chosen to leave a gift to Pilgrims Hospices in her Will.
“I had a dear friend who became a Pilgrims in-patient in 1983. Up until then I had never been into a hospice and, like many others, had a perception that it would be a gloomy, foreboding place. However, I was delighted to experience Pilgrims as caring, welcoming and supportive – a bright, vibrant building and truly caring, kind, friendly and compassionate staff. They took care of my friend so well – and also helped her family with their grief when my friend died.
“I was so very impressed with this incredible organisation and the care they gave my friend and her family at all stages of her journey – I could not believe this incredible charity was funded almost entirely through donations. I vowed at that point to do all I could to support such a worthy cause. Since then, I have fundraised for Pilgrims on numerous occasions – and I still am fundraising now. Over the years I’ve done all sorts of things – including running six marathons, organising my own fundraising events and taking part in many organised by Pilgrims. The list is long – and it will continue to grow!
I have chosen to also make a gift in my Will, so my support can continue, even when I am no longer here in person.
Jayne
“In 2009, I was made redundant – so I dedicated half a day every week to volunteer at Pilgrims, as well as continuing to fundraise. I started later that year as part of the Canterbury volunteer group and my duties included manning reception and taking tea and coffee to the patients and families on the wards. I was then trained as a hospice complementary therapist, to give hand and foot massages to the patients and carers when they came to the hospice for pamper days. In 2011, Pilgrims started the Dover Outreach – so I went there every Friday to provide hand and foot massage to patients and carers.
“I’ve kept in close contact with Pilgrims since, and in July 2023, I started running a programme at the Canterbury Therapy Centre called Relax and Restore – again as a volunteer. The programme made a really positive difference to patients.
“My long-term relationship supporting Pilgrims – both as a fundraiser and volunteer – is the reason why I have chosen to also make a gift in my Will, so my support can continue, even when I am no longer here in person.”
Jayne’s support for Pilgrims will continue, even when she’s gone.
Has Jayne’s story inspired you to find out more? Make a Gift in your Will your final act of kindness, supporting hospice care for generations.
Or do you have your own story that might inspire others?
If you have a story to share, or would like more information about leaving Pilgrims a gift in your Will, our friendly team would love to speak to you. You can contact Hannah or Ellie on 01227 782 060 or via [email protected].
Pilgrims Hospices is a charity dedicated to providing expert care and support to patients with life-limiting illnesses in east Kent. Our services ensure comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients and their families, offering compassionate care both in hospice settings and in the community.
10th July 2020
Hazel’s story: Why she left a gift to Pilgrims in her will
Hazel Hayward’s passion for Pilgrims Hospices was driven behind a lifetime career of nursing. She began volunteering in one of the first fundraising teams at Pilgrims in 1991; she aided in raising vital funds to build a brand new hospice in the Isle of Thanet.
In 1992 the first patients were admitted and Hazel continued to fundraise, spending her time manning stalls all year round at numerous local fairs.
Mary Annett, friend of Hazel Hayward said: “I first met Hazel when I was a nurse at the hospice; I remember her coming in with a bag of money one Monday morning having just spent a particularly cold and wet weekend at a fair in St. Nicholas, selling hospice bookmarks and telephone pads.
“She was incredibly cheerful and so happy to be playing her part in keeping the hospice running.
“Hazel had very kindly decided to leave Pilgrims a gift in her Will, with the hospice playing a major part in Hazel’s life during her retirement.
“When she wasn’t out in the community fundraising, or collecting giant cheques from local organisations, she dedicated her time to making different items that could be sold to raise vital funds.
She was incredibly cheerful and so happy to be playing her part in keeping the hospice running.
Mary Annett
“This was well recognised, as in 2002 she was awarded a certificate of merit for outstanding service to her local community. Hazel leaving a gift in her Will means her devotion to Pilgrims can carry on, even after she has gone.”
When Hazel’s memory started to deteriorate, her kind-hearted friends took her under their wing to look after her nearing the end. They will always remember Hazel to have never lost her sense of humour. Hazel spent her last moments in a local Nursing Home and was provided with excellent care and the comfort she deserved after a lifetime of serving others.
By leaving a gift in your will to Pilgrims Hospices, you’ll help to ensure that each person in east Kent with an incurable illness receives the right care where and when they need it.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 4,000 people in east Kent coming to terms with an illness that sadly cannot be cured. The charity supports patients to live well in mind and body until the very end. To offer these services, Pilgrims must raise approximately £11 million each year from the generous local community.
24th April 2020
Shirley’s story: Why I’m leaving a gift to Pilgrims in my will
Shirley Johnston has experienced first-hand the vital support provided by Pilgrims Hospices to people across east Kent. Her mum and husband both received the charity’s compassionate care at the end of their lives; Shirley decided to give back by leaving a gift to Pilgrims in her will so that other families can continue to benefit from its services in the future.
My first experience of Pilgrims was in 1985 when my mum was cared for at the Canterbury hospice. Many years later my husband, Gordon, was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and had to undergo major surgery leaving him with a prognosis of 18 months. Despite this, he defied all odds by surviving another eight years! When his cancer eventually came back, I knew it was going to be painful for him so it was important for me that he received support from Pilgrims Hospices, just like my mum had.
It made such a difference, it was so important; Pilgrims became everything as it gave him a purpose and a reason to keep going.
Shirley
He attended the Pilgrims Therapy Centre in Ashford as an outpatient for over a year, getting support with his pain, breathlessness groups, and day therapy sessions. As his carer, I was offered neck and shoulder massages as part of a pamper day. It made such a difference, it was so important; Pilgrims became everything as it gave him a purpose and a reason to keep going. He used to say “I just live at half-mast these days” but would still head into the hospice to read the paper to a friend who had trouble with her sight. When he eventually came into Pilgrims in Ashford for his last few weeks it was so peaceful. As he would have wished he was surrounded by his family at the end.
As we’d spent so long coming to Pilgrims it was like being in a family and I was quite bereft without it after he’d gone. I attended a bereavement group and saw three ladies there that I’d met through the Therapy Centre when Gordon was alive. All our husbands had been patients and had died within four months of each other – so it was a real comfort for us to be able to support each other through such a difficult time. We became great friends and even now we all come back to the hospice once a month to meet up for lunch.
Leaving a gift in my will to the hospice is as important to me as it was to my husband. I could never have cared for either my husband or my mum in the way the hospice cared for them. I’m leaving a gift to the hospice to ensure that this incredible service continues to be here for future generations, for my children and grandchildren.
Shirley
After some time had passed I really wanted to fill the void of what I had lost, so I decided to volunteer as a gardener at the Ashford hospice. Every week, you will find me in the ‘wild’ garden pottering around with my friend, Sue, keeping the gardens a beautiful space for everyone to enjoy.
Gordon and I always spoke about wanting our money to be left to the hospice. When making my new will after I had spoken to my family, I split my estate six ways between my five children and Pilgrims.
Leaving a gift in my will to the hospice is as important to me as it was to my husband. I could never have cared for either my husband or my mum in the way the hospice cared for them. I’m leaving a gift to the hospice to ensure that this incredible service continues to be here for future generations, for my children and grandchildren.
By leaving a gift in your will to Pilgrims Hospices, you’ll help to ensure that each person in east Kent with an incurable illness receives the right care where and when they need it.
Please note: This story was written before the COVID-19 outbreak. For current information about all hospice services at the present time, including visiting our hospices and volunteering, please click here.
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 supports patient’s to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress. To offer these services charity must raise £11 million each year from the generous local community.