Sunflower Memories shone brightly at hospice remembrance event
In a heart-warming tribute, over 700 families gathered on Saturday 20 July 2024 at Pilgrims Hospices in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford for Sunflower Memories, the annual summer remembrance event.
This cherished local charity tradition welcomed families to find sunflower markers inscribed with the names of their loved ones, creating a serene and reflective atmosphere.
Guests were greeted with tea, cake, and strawberries with cream, served by dedicated Pilgrims volunteers in the charity’s Therapy Centres. These centres, typically used by the Pilgrims Wellbeing team for Living Well and creative art sessions, provided an inspiring backdrop for visitors to explore their creative sides.
Sunflower-themed arts and crafts activities, including bookmark-making and pebble painting, were enjoyed by attendees of all ages.
Pilgrims Hospices staff were on hand to engage with visitors, share in the celebration of cherished memories, and offer support to those experiencing grief.
Angie Stupple, Spiritual Care Chaplain at the Canterbury hospice, remarked: “The sun shone on Sunflower Day and it was beautiful, although a bittersweet time for those who came. There were tears and laughter as we remembered the ones they loved and lost, whether it was in recent days or years gone by. It was a joy and a privilege to chat with people in this relaxed atmosphere and lovely surroundings, and to remind them that Pilgrims is always here with friendship and support.”
The sun shone on Sunflower Day and it was beautiful, although a bittersweet time for those who came.
Angie Stupple, Pilgrims Hospices
In the weeks leading up to the event, Pilgrims Hospices reached out to the local community for support.
Ellie Cane, who leads the team putting on these events each year, expressed her gratitude, saying:
“Thank you to everyone who kindly supported these events, from those who donated for a sunflower marker, to those who gave their time to help welcome visitors, to the amazing sunflower plant growers and keen crafters. We simply couldn’t put on these events without you, and I’m so pleased we are able to provide this space for remembering and celebrating our loved ones each year.
“We are delighted to say this year’s Sunflower Memories appeal has so far raised in excess of £34,000, with donations still coming in. This just would not have been possible without the collective effort of our staff, volunteers, and our amazing local community.”
There is still time to donate and receive a dedicated sunflower memory marker in honour of a loved one. For more information, please contact Pilgrims Hospices Supporter Relations team by calling 01227 782 062 or via email at [email protected].
Pilgrims Hospices is a local charity dedicated to providing compassionate end-of-life care and support to patients and their families across East Kent. Through their various programs and events, they strive to create a supportive and caring environment for all those they serve.
20th May 2024
Celebrate loved ones at Pilgrims’ Sunflower Memories Appeal 2024
The Sunflower Memories appeal returns to Pilgrims Hospices gardens in Canterbury, Thanet, and Ashford on Saturday, 20 July, 2024.
For over 10 years, the hospice gardens have welcomed members of the local community to come together and celebrate their most treasured memories of loved ones in the sunshine. The cherished appeal has been beloved by longstanding, and new supporters alike, raising over £400,000 since its inception.
Everyone is welcome to dedicate a sunflower in memory of a special person, in exchange for a donation to ensure that Pilgrims Hospices can continue to deliver outstanding end-of-life care to the local community. The sunflowers represent a heartfelt tribute to those who are no longer with us but whose memories continue to shine brightly. The dedicated sunflowers form a striking display and decorate the gardens, ready to welcome supporters into the hospice grounds for the Sunflower Days: garden tea parties with live music and light refreshments, offering time, space, and comfort to reflect on the lives of those remembered.
Once again, Sunflower Memories is delighted to welcome Pilgrims’ Wellbeing team to the Sunflower Days. As the hands and minds behind the Time to Create sessions, offered as part of the Wellbeing programme, they know how important expressing creativity can be for the body and mind. Attendees will have the chance to discover their inner artist at an arts and crafts station, available for all ages and abilities to enjoy.
Ellie Cane, Individual Giving Manager, said, “Sunflower Memories has continued to grow from strength to strength and provides the perfect opportunity for our supporters to remember their loved ones in the beauty of the hospice gardens, all while supporting local families who need end-of-life care, both inside and outside the hospice walls. It continues to be a special event in the Pilgrims calendar as families come together and share the day with those who may be going through similar experiences. We are very excited that our community has the opportunity to be united in their creativity as they gain first-hand experience of the kind of support we offer to patients and their loved ones through a Time to Create taster session.”
Pilgrims’ Supporter Relations team will write the names of those to be remembered onto vibrant sunflower markers, which will join the beautiful display in the hospice gardens. Supporters are welcome to collect their sunflowers to keep at home as a treasured keepsake from the day or allow them to remain in the gardens where they will shine brightly until 9 August. Afterward, the memory markers can be collected from the hospice reception.
The Sunflower Days will be taking place in the hospice gardens of Canterbury, Thanet, and Ashford on Saturday, 20 July, between 1 pm and 4 pm. Pilgrims staff and volunteers will be ready and waiting to welcome visitors, help them find their dedicated sunflower, and share in their treasured memories in the sunshine.
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 supports patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
12th August 2022
Benches stolen from much loved hospice gardens
Thoughtless thieves stole two benches from local charity, Pilgrims Hospices in Margate on Tuesday evening. Shortly after nine pm, the newly refurbished wooden benches were captured on CCTV being carried by a man and a woman to a van parked on the main road. The couple were caught on camera and the theft has been reported to the police.
The wooden benches were recently refurbished by hospice volunteers, in an effort to improve the seating for patients and their families whilst using the gardens.
We can’t thank the people of Thanet enough for their generosity and very kind words of support.
Jon Sillett Deputy CEO
Jon May, Pilgrims Hospices Thanet Services Manager said: “We are all at a loss as to why people would want to steel from our charity. Just last week, a volunteer working party from Saga, repaired and gave the benches a fresh new look in blue paint, they looked wonderful. Saga employees are regular supporters of the hospices, and offer their time and expertise for which we are very grateful.
“We are disappointed to say the least, that some people saw fit to steel our garden furniture, and feel even more disappointment for the volunteers who have taken so much time and effort to refurbish the benches and make them look so beautiful.
“We rely on volunteer support from organisations such as Saga, and hope this unpleasant incident will not detract from the amazing work, they do for us now and in the future. We really couldn’t do some of the vital work in and around our hospice and grounds without the generous support of our volunteers.”
The charity has been inundated with kind offers from members of the community and local businesses, to replace the benches. Jon Sillett, Deputy CEO, added: “We can’t thank the people of Thanet enough for their generosity and very kind words of support. We have accepted a generous offer to replace the benches. Sadly, it’s unpleasant experiences such as this, that remind us how we are part of, and valued by the local community.
We are now reviewing how we can improve the security on our site in Margate, and would love to enhance the security within the hospice settings to deter any future potential incidents. If you would like to make a contribution to items such as security gates, updating fences, lighting and other items, this would be very much appreciated. This would enable our gardens to be safe places for our patients and their loved ones to enjoy, and somewhere to create special moments and memories.
If anyone would like to help with a donation, to help maintain the hospice for those who need Pilgrims care and support, you can donate here: select Thanet garden and bench replacement donation from the drop down menu. You can call Pilgrims Supporter Relations Team on 01227 782 062, every penny donated will be making a different to end-on-life care in our community.
Pilgrims Hospices cares for more than 2,500 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.
