Jenny remembers her husband, Graham, by dedicating a dove in his memory at Pilgrims Hospices annual Trees of Love remembrance campaign.
My husband Graham was a kind and generous man, a nature and animal lover. He was particularly musical; he sang, played piano and performed the clarinet in several orchestras. We met at age 5 while attending the same primary school, but went our separate ways when we progressed to our respective grammar schools. It seems rather fitting, then, that we reunited at a German musical evening hosted by Graham’s school. We would go on to spend a wonderful 55 years together, with our children and grandchildren.
We were introduced to Pilgrims later on in Graham’s illness, around six months before he passed. He often found it difficult to put his thoughts into words, but when presented with the option of more treatment or intervention for his illness, he knew that was not the option for him. While our journey with Pilgrims has been rather short, they have been so very helpful. In times like these, you never quite know who to turn to, but the bereavement support we have been offered has been such a help. When you just want someone to listen, they just let us talk.
I was made aware of Trees of Love through a postal invitation that invited me to dedicate a dove in Graham’s memory. My granddaughter, Charlotte, has recently started art college, which has been such a creative outlet for her. She decorated her grandfather’s dove with a wonderful drawing depicting the owl and pussy cat in a tree, as she discovered he was particularly fond of the poem by Edward Lear. Out of sheer coincidence, my daughter revealed that the week her father had passed, she had found a greetings card depicting the ‘Owl and the Pussy Cat’ scene, too. This has brought our family closer together.
In 2023, I attended the remembrance service at the Thanet hospice. Although I attended alone, it was such a welcoming atmosphere for everyone. I struck up conversation with someone who was by themselves, and it was comforting to share the experience with someone who knew what I was going through.
The service was lovely, and I was happy to have the opportunity to capture a picture of Graham’s dove on the illuminated tree, and take my order of service home to share with my family.
Previously, I had volunteered for another hospice in one of their retail stores, so I had experience in the kind of care that a hospice provides. But having now received that support myself, I can recognise how fantastic they really are. I’m happy to support this wonderful charity in any way that I can.
This December, dedicate a dove to someone special and join us at one of our hospice or satellite remembrance services.
To find out more and to take part in Trees of Love 2024, simply visit pilgrimshospices.org/treesoflove or contact our friendly Supporter Relations team on 01227 782 062 to dedicate a dove today.
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.
29th August 2024
Cheers to the tea-rrific Pilgrims Hospices teams: Celebrating Afternoon Tea Week 2024 with love, laughter, and a feast of flavours!
A huge round of applause to the wonderful Pilgrims Hospices Therapy Centre teams from Ashford, Canterbury, and Thanet for treating our patients to the most delightful afternoon teas across all three sites!
Afternoon Tea Week took place nationally from 12 – 18 August 2024; the dedication, warmth, and creativity truly shone through, making the experience unforgettable for everyone involved.
Robyn Moore, Healthcare Assistant
The events were enjoyed by patients who are currently attending Wellbeing groups at each hospice, which provide an opportunity to connect with others who are going through similar experiences. The therapy teams organise visits from guest speakers, who deliver talks and interactive workshops on a variety of topics, helping patients to open up and share their own interests. Importantly, the groups also offer a space to relax and switch off for a few hours.
Patients at the Canterbury hospice welcomed visitors from Retreat into Wonderland, an animal rescue charity based in Herne Bay, to their afternoon tea event. Shetland ponies greeted everyone in the hospice gardens, contributing to a calm and comforting atmosphere.
The Thanet hospice enjoyed an interesting and informative talk from the Kent Police fraud team, and Ashford patients were entertained by a classical guitarist.
Sharon Smith, Wellbeing Practitioner Team Leader, said: “Afternoon Tea Week celebrates the great British tradition of afternoon tea and is the perfect excuse to catch up with loved ones over a cup of tea and some delicacies.”
A special shout-out to our amazing catering team, whose planning and passion turned these afternoon teas into a feast of flavours and joy. Every bite was a reminder of the love and care that goes into everything you do. The smiles on everyone’s faces said it all!
Let’s raise our teacups high in celebration of this cherished tradition and the incredible efforts of our teams who make moments like these so special. Thank you for being the heart and soul of our community!
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.
11th October 2023
Pilgrims Hospices share workforce stories throughout Hospice Care Week
Amy tells us why she has made a career in compassionate care and why Pilgrims is so important to her
When I first came to work at Pilgrims Hospices, it was for a week as a temp while I was in between jobs. A week turned into two, which turned into a month. That was in July 2000 and the rest is history! After a few months covering in different departments, I got a job as a medical secretary at the Canterbury hospice. I really enjoyed that role, and 15 years later was successful recruited to become the hospices Administration Manager. My mum and dad also worked at the hospices. Mum first, working in the Personnel department and then Dad after me, when he became the maintenance engineer at the Ashford hospice until he retired in 2011.
I had just turned 21 when I started working at Pilgrims, and was fairly naïve about what a hospice was. Throughout the years, I have grown up with the organisation, through lots of changes in my personal and professional life. I have spent my most formative adult years expanding my knowledge on how we deliver end-of-life care. I honestly feel that because of this, the hospice has a special place in my heart. I love what we do; I love how Pilgrims’ look after patients and their families, and I think we make a massive difference to those people. Nothing is too much trouble, and we have always done as much as we could to help people with their wishes, large or small, at the end of their life.
One of my proudest moments was when I was a medical secretary; a patient at Pilgrims Day Centre was a keen motorcyclist but was unable to ride anymore. His wish was to be able to just have one more ride on a motorcycle, but being unable to do this himself it needed to be in a sidecar. The team in the day centre came to ask me if I could try and find a way we could do this. I got in touch with some motorcycle clubs around the area, and a kind gentleman made contact saying he had a sidecar, and that it would be a pleasure to take the patient out for a ride. We arranged a meeting one Saturday, it was just amazing to see how excited and happy the patient and his family were that this could be achieved. The man with the sidecar turned out to be Eric Richard, the actor who played PC Bob Cryer in the TV series, The Bill, which added to the amazement! The best part of the day was, the patient had a brilliant time, and was so happy to be able to enjoy a motorcycle ride again.
Having worked for Pilgrims for so long, I always thought I knew everything there was to know about the hospice and the care provided, but I was so wrong. Sadly my mum got cancer and was admitted to the Canterbury hospice for end-of-life care in 2017. To be in that situation – on the other side – now as a relative, was so different to what I’d thought. I was stunned at the level of care and attention the care teams give patients and relatives, and it honestly blew my mind. I had no idea just how deep their treatment went, and the commitment they give to each tiny detail. This made my love of the hospice movement even deeper than it had been. Mum was able to say how she wanted her last days to be, and this was achieved. Although devastating, she had the best death she could have had. This year, unfortunately my dad had a very short illness and was admitted to the Canterbury hospice. Like my mum, he was able to state his wishes; again this was achieved fully, and his death was also just as he wanted. Both were peaceful, with the family, full of the love they deserved.
I could never repay Pilgrims for the wonderful care my parents received, and I fully understand when people say ‘a good death’. I don’t know what we would have done if we didn’t have the hospice to achieve this.
The fact that I experienced this, makes me even more grateful that I work for a charity that helps thousands of patients and their families, all year round. I am extremely proud and humbled to be a part of something that provides a service like this.
Working for Pilgrims Hospices:
Whether you support patients and families within our care teams, help to raise vital funds or work in our support services, Pilgrims can offer a very rewarding career.
Working alongside passionate, like-minded and knowledgeable people, a career with Pilgrims provides you with the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of families within east Kent.
Through providing care, working in our shops or attending events, there are always opportunities to network with other professionals and establish strong relationships within our community.
Alternatively, you might like to volunteer for Pilgrims?
Please explore our opportunities when you click here.
17th August 2023
Pilgrims Hospices Lottery community ties
Here in the world of Pilgrims Hospices Lottery we pride ourselves on the strong connections and amazing relationships we have with our local communities in the Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet areas.
We have been meeting up with many of our wonderful members for an amazing 27 years, in fact since Pilgrims Hospices Lottery began in the April of 1996.
We have seen our members’ families grow up to have families of their own. When they have moved we have too, moving their collection onto the relevant Collector in their new area. Winning cheques have been hand delivered to many with messages of thanks, perfect timing, happy purchases, travel arrangements made and kind donations given.
Lottery Collectors and members have been sadly lost along the way but those strong ties remain, family and friends picking up the reigns and taking over membership entries and collections.
New relationships and connections continue to be made with over 2800 new or additional entries into our weekly draw plus hundreds of you buying superdraw tickets, scratch cards, wedding favours and gift vouchers. This last year alone; we have raised over £1.2 million, have sent out more than 5,500 winners cheques and made over 50 thousandaires!
When you see the difference the compassionate care makes to Pilgrims Hospices patients and their families it’s easy to see what drives us.
We are and will remain truly grateful and humbled by the tremendous generosity shown in support of the incredible compassionate care provided by our teams both in the community, in people’s homes and in our hospices. Thank you, we really couldn’t do it without you. Together we really do make a difference.
£25 pays for one full hour of compassionate care by specialist nurse so you really do and can make a difference; help us continue to provide care and comfort to those that need us the most.
If you would like to join and make a difference today please call 01227 379741, or click here to go directly to our website page. Still only £1 per entry per week and you could win up to £20,000!
P.S Our Christmas Gift Vouchers are available now and our Christmas Superdraw tickets will be landing on doormats soon.
With Warmest Wishes from
Shiralee and your Lottery team.
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.
8th August 2023
We’re back to colour the coast!
Pilgrims Hospices, Thanet Colour Run, returns on Sunday 1st October to Palm Bay Green, Margate. This family-friendly 5k event is an explosion of colourful fun. Take in amazing coastal views as you run and walk through clouds of brightly coloured powder around the route. So far, some £200,000 has been raised through the event since it launched in 2016.
Gather friends and family to join the energetic atmosphere of people running, jogging and walking along Thanet’s spectacular seafront. We anticipate more than 1,000 participants including runners, joggers and walkers joining us on the day. All are welcome to support Pilgrims.
Entry – before 25th September 2023
Ages 12 and over – £24 – Ages 11 and under £15
On the day entry (if still available)
Ages 12 and over – £28 – Ages 11 and under – £15
What happens on the day?
9am – 11am: Registration will be open
11.30am – 1.30pm: Thanet 5k Colour Run takes place
Entry includes a white t-shirt, paint sachet, funky sunglasses and finisher’s medal. We encourage you to consider the environment and bring your own plain white t-shirt to wear on the day. We provide the white t-shirts for event safety and colour protection, but if you can recycle an old one, then that is appreciated.
This year, our participant wristbands are also environmentally friendly! Each wristband is bio-degradable and contains wild flower seeds within the band, meaning you can take it home and plant it in your garden!
Catering will be available for purchase on site.
Location – Thanet, Palm Bay Green, Palm Bay Avenue, Cliftonville, Margate, CT9 3NR.
If you would like to speak to Pilgrims’ about this event, please contact Karen Kenward Email: [email protected] or call her on 01843 233 934
By taking part in the Thanet 5k Colour Run, you’ll be helping Pilgrim Hospices to continue caring for people right across east Kent who are facing a life-limiting illness.
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.
28th June 2023
Supporters hike the Pilgrims Way Challenge for local hospice care
Wye Village Hall welcomed 630 excited runners and walkers on Saturday 10th June, all gathering to undertake the 5th annual Pilgrims Way Challenge. This much-loved and well-established fundraising event brought many regular ramblers, along with those who were new to the challenge, out into the brilliant sunshine to support their local hospice charity.
Trekkers enjoyed a 25km, 35km, or 55km hike through ancient woodland, rolling fields, and picturesque villages along the North Downs Way national trail to the historic city of Canterbury; the finish line for 25km participants, the start point for 35km participants, and the mid-point for the 55km hikers, who headed onward towards a coastal finish inside Dover Castle. Some even ran the distance, with our fastest finisher completing the event in just 5 ½ hrs!
It was such a great day!
Robert – Pilgrims
The event is set to raise more than £105,000; a figure that will help Pilgrims Hospices to provide more than 4,200 hours of specialist nursing care at one of their inpatient units in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet. Many people chose to walk the Pilgrims Way Challenge in memory of a loved one, in appreciation of the care they experienced from Pilgrims.
In true Pilgrims style, participants were supported throughout the journey with well-stocked rest stops, comprehensive route signage and expert medical support. Walkers were particularly delighted upon arriving for a well-deserved seat at Chartham Hatch, where they were treated to delicious cakes, strawberries and tea.
Robert Grew, Pilgrims Events & Digital Fundraising Manager said: “It was such a great day. We had hundreds of walkers of all abilities taking on the challenge and I’m in awe of every single one of them. Despite some challenging temperatures, our supporters really went the extra mile, and it was humbling to see how far people push themselves to achieve something not just for themselves, but for the benefit of others. It really is a deeply personal test, both physically and emotionally, and to see what it meant to them when they finally reached the finish line was inspiring. Collectively, our supporters walked over 23,400 kilometres, which is the equivalent of walking from London to Athens more than 8 times!
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to the army of Pilgrims volunteers who gave their time and energy to support our walkers, whether it was with marshalling the route, preparing refreshments or encouraging people along the way, we couldn’t have done it without you.”
If you or someone you know is coping with a life limiting illness, and you think you may benefit from Pilgrims free services, talk to your GP or Healthcare Professional about your options or click here to read about our Wellbeing Services.
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.
