East Kent’s largest remembrance services returned in December 2022
Pilgrims Hospices’ Trees of Love saw thousands come together to remember loved ones in December 2022.
Pilgrims Hospices welcomed over 2,000 local people to their Trees of Love remembrance services, held at venues across east Kent during the first weeks of December 2022.
Each year, Pilgrims host remembrance services with carols in the grounds of their three hospices at Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet, where huge festive trees are lit up in memory of lost loved ones. Adorned with beautiful doves bearing personal messages, many from across east Kent shared their special memories together at these festive events. The hospice also collaborates with other venues in the community, holding services in in Barham, Charing, Cheriton, River and New Romney, allowing more people to attend.
Ellie Cane, Pilgrims Hospices Individual Giving Officer, said: “During the pandemic we were unable to bring everyone together in person, so we were delighted to welcome everyone back to our hospices this year for the return of our remembrance services. Our thanks go to everyone who has donated to the Trees of Love appeal and dedicated a dove in memory of their loved ones. At what can be a difficult time of the year, sharing thoughts with others who have similar experiences keeps our loved ones firmly in our hearts.”
She added: “So far, we have raised over £47,000 for local hospice care from generous donations to the Trees of Love appeal. This is such an amazing amount, which will help us continue to provide our expert care and support on our wards and in people’s own homes. It really will make the difference for our patients and their families when they need us the most.”
Visitors to the hospice services on Saturday 3 December 2022 were welcomed by the charity’s Spiritual Care Leads at Thanet and Ashford, and guest Lead Rev Stefan Thomas at Canterbury, to enjoy readings from staff and volunteers, and sing carols accompanied by local choirs. Refreshments of mince pies, hot chocolate and mulled wine were on offer to keep guests warm on that frosty night.
Of the combined community and hospice effort it takes to host these events every year, Ellie said: “Our thanks must extend also to our local communities and the many volunteers who give their time and skills every year to make the events run smoothly. It really couldn’t be done without them.”
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.
30th November 2022
Trees of Love return to Pilgrims Hospices
Pilgrims Hospices’ Trees of Love remembrance services have seen over 1,000 local people join together each year in memory of their loved ones to raise vital funds to support the incredible services that Pilgrims offers.
Trees of Love is an important event for many families who come together with others who may have shared similar experiences, to remember their loved ones. Guests are invited to come along to see their dedicated dove on one of the Trees of Love, listen to festive and remembrance readings and sing carols, whilst enjoying a warm mince pie, hot chocolate or mulled wine.
“Christmas is a special time of year for families and friends to come together, but losing a loved one can make celebrating this time of year very difficult.
“Trees of love is a place for all to come together in remembering their loved ones during the festive season. We are thrilled to be able to invite everyone back to our hospices for our remembrance services, which we have been unable to host due to the restrictions in place during the pandemic.
“We will also be releasing a Trees of Love film again as we understand how important this has become for those who choose to remember at home.”
Trees of Love has been an important fundraiser for the hospice for more than 25 years, helping to care for those living with life-limiting illnesses and support their families after they are gone.
It offers a space for anyone throughout east Kent who has lost someone special to join together, to reflect and remember their loved ones year on year.
Trees of Love events will take place at our hospices in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet at 5pm on Saturday 3 December 2022.
We also offer indoor services with seating across our east Kent community:
Firmager, St Nicholas Church, New Romney, 1:30pm on Saturday 3 December 2022
St Peter and St Paul Church, River, Dover, 4pm on Sunday 4 December 2022
All Souls Church, Cheriton, Folkestone, 5pm on Sunday 4 December 2022
Barham Crematorium, Barham, 4.30pm on Thursday 15 December 2022
Charing Crematorium, Charing, 4.30pm on Friday 16 December 2022
You can also post a message and a photo in memory of your loved one on our online Trees of Love memory wall.
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 Programme.
14th November 2022
Trees of Love: Christina’s story
Christina Johnson supports Trees of Love in memory of her mum, Julie.
Here, she shares why she chooses to remember Julie in this way.
Our family – my mum and her husband, Terry, and two daughters, myself and Sarah – was originally from London, but later moved to Sandgate to be by the sea andthe countryside.
My mum was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time, which then spread, and she sadly passed away in March 2016.
Pilgrims Hospice Ashford cared for my mum from November 2015 until March 2016. We had no idea what to expect, but we felt Mum had the best end-of-life care. Their service was exceptional, and it was reassuring knowing that she was being looked after so well. Mum always said she felt she was in a nice hotel! The staff were so kind and friendly, making Mum laugh, with time for conversation.
Trees of Love is such a special event for us, and we attend every year. Christmas time is hard and feels different now Mum is no longer with us. By joining other families at this event who have lost loved ones, we draw comfort, and enjoy the time to come together to remember our dear mum.
Christina
My mum always liked to look her best. The side effects of chemotherapy made her lose her confidence, but Pilgrims Hospices provided a volunteer beautician, who gave Mum a lovely pedicure in her room. The little extras they do for people are wonderful. She even enjoyed a little glass of red wine on some evenings!
Trees of Love is such a special event for us, and we attend every year. Christmas time is hard and feels different now Mum is no longer with us. By joining other families at this event who have lost loved ones, we draw comfort, and enjoy the time to come together to remember our dear mum. The hanging doves on the trees are a wonderful, personalised tribute to each individual family, for their lost loved ones. The beautiful lit-up gardens at Pilgrims Hospice Ashford, and the music and prayers, bring us both joy and comfort.
Pilgrims Hospices will always be a part of our lives. It helps us to feel connected to our mum and keep her memory alive.
Trees of Love events will take place at our hospices in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet at 5pm on Saturday 3 December 2022.
You can also post a message and a photo in memory of your loved one on our online Trees of Love memory wall.
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 Programme.
12th October 2022
Trees of Love: Sally’s story
Sally Atkins supports Trees of Love in memory of her dad, Robin.
Here, she shares why remembering Robin at Trees of Love is an essential part of her year.
My dad, Robin, was a well-liked member of the community in Sandwich, where he spent most of his life. A postman and member of the local cricket club, he loved his family dearly and would always do what he could for them.
Sadly, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, living with it bravely for a couple of years before it took hold aggressively. In June 2007, my wonderful dad lost his battle, with great dignity.
Sally’s dad, Robin
Dad was cared for at the Thanet hospice at the end of his life, with Mum and myself, always at his side. We cannot fault the care he received. Calm, peaceful and welcoming, the staff cared for us all with such kindness, allowing us to sleep by his bed, and make the most of every moment together.
Trees of Love is special to us as a family. After two years, I felt I wanted another way to remember my dad, moving forward with my grief. I found out about the Trees of Love service and came along to see what it was like. Now it’s very much part of my yearly calendar, and I’ve been attending for nearly nine years. Even after all this time, it still moves me, and I have a few tears during the service. The beautiful trees are all lit up, and I take photographs of the lights and Dad’s dove, to share with my family, especially ones who live far away.
Pilgrims is such a worthy cause and I will continue to support them and all they do for others. With events on all throughout the year, there’s something for everybody, and I look forward to attending Trees of Love this year, and remembering my special dad.
Trees of Love events will take place at our hospices in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet at 5pm on Saturday 3 December 2022.
You can also post a message and a photo in memory of your loved one on our online Trees of Love memory wall.
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 Programme.
12th July 2022
Sunflower Memories: Christine’s story
Christine Ford’s husband, Richard (Dick), was supported by Pilgrims Hospices at the end of his life, so she now dedicates a sunflower in his memory as part of the charity’s Sunflower Memories campaign.
Here, Christine shares why sunflowers are so special to her.
Richard (Dick)
Well, who doesn’t love a sunflower? The most beautiful, cheerful and amazing of all flowers. From dainty little bush varieties to the gigantic specimens loved by competitive types, we all have a space for a sunflower in our hearts. So, the concept of sunflowers as the symbol of remembrance for Pilgrims was genius.
My husband, Dick, was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer from a pretty-well asymptomatic start, but it was always clear that we were only looking to palliative care. We had three amazing years, which apart from the first few months of chemo, were almost like normal life!
We’d always planned to get a caravan and travel in Europe on retirement. Cancer disrupted our plans, but not entirely. By year three, we just upped and spent most of our time in Spain, as peripheral neuropathy was a bit miserable in our cold damp winters. We drove down in November and flew home every three weeks for chemo. We often chatted and marveled at how much we’d achieved, despite our ages and Dick’s cancer.
But it had to end, of course. Fortunately for us, it was not a long, protracted time. He went downhill quickly and a chat with the pain management team prepared us and helped us plan. In the last two nights, I had him at home with me; the team chatted to me through the wee small hours, pushing my fears back, and helping me not to panic. When they sent the nurse to assess Richard, she crawled up on the bed next to him, held his hand, and made sure he understood what was happening.
From dainty little bush varieties to the gigantic specimens loved by competitive types, we all have a space for a sunflower in our hearts. So, the concept of sunflowers as the symbol of remembrance for Pilgrims was genius.
Christine
When the hospice ambulance collected us and took us off to Canterbury, one of the team looked at the photo of our granddaughters by the bed and said, “Bring them along” – a thought and gesture so deep in understanding that only their long experience could bring. The time in Canterbury was hardly 24 hours; time for Dick’s son to get to him from Brisbane and be there to chat to his dad. We were both there with him, holding his hands, to the end. We couldn’t have done it without the Pilgrims team.
So, there you have it. Sunflowers have been part of our lives – cycling through France, riding trains through Northern Europe, popping up unexpectedly in the garden (thanks to the birds) and featuring in bouquets to celebrate all sorts of occasions. You cannot help but smile at a sunflower. Such bright, enthusiastic and optimistic symbols of life. And now they still bring a smile.
Sunflower Memories events will take place at our hospices in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet on Saturday 30 July 2022.
If you’d prefer to remember from home, please visit our online Memory Wall where you can post pictures and messages in honour of your loved one as part of our annual summer remembrance.
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.
28th June 2022
Annie reflects on 36-year career at Pilgrims Hospices
Annie Hogben has worked for Pilgrims Hospices since 1986. Initially a nurse, she then helped to set up the Therapy Centres, and is now based within the charity’s Education team, developing volunteer roles that support patients, carers and bereaved loved ones.
In Pilgrims’ 40th birthday year, she reflects on her memories with the local hospice charity.
I started work in Canterbury hospice as a State Enrolled Nurse in May 1986. I was so keen to join the hospice team after hearing a lecture by Cicely Saunders, one of the early founders of the hospice movement, and felt it was the right place for me. When I came to the hospice, there was purely a ward, with the availability of 20 beds for patients across east Kent. Our Medical Director did home visits to support patients in the community, and as always we worked very closely with GPs, district nurses and hospital staff, to support palliative patients and their families in our local communities.
A day centre was opened a year or so later, and this operated five days a week for our community patients. This enabled patients to have an overview of their symptoms as well as engage in a variety of social and creative activities, whilst providing some worthwhile respite for their families. These centres have always been so positive, enhancing the wellbeing of patients of various ages and situations, with much shared joy and laughter.
Pilgrims has grown and developed dramatically to meet the needs of the people of east Kent, but always with the wonderful philosophy to support and come alongside patients, families and bereaved loved ones throughout the latter part of their lives.
I consider it a real privilege to have been part of this amazing team of staff and volunteers for so long.
Annie
Annie
Allied Health Care Professionals have always been such an important part of the team supporting patients, families and bereaved relatives at Pilgrims, as have volunteers, who were present on the ward, supporting staff in those early days. It is so lovely that part of my current role has been to be part of the team to reintroduce Ward Support Volunteers, which adds great value to patients and their loved ones.
I left the hospice in 1989 to continue my training and then to work on an oncology unit, the Mountbatten Centre at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital. I returned to Canterbury hospice in 1992 as a Registered Nurse on the ward. Shortly after this, the specialist community nursing team were introduced, to support community patients and families across the whole of east Kent. This invaluable service now runs throughout all three hospice sites.
I was fortunate to move into the role of Senior Staff Nurse on the ward, and throughout that time experienced many celebrations with patients on the ward, including weddings, anniversaries and other important events. The addition of the Thanet hospice allowed the growth of support services for the people of east Kent, enabling access to services in the local area and increasing the amount of beds available for those requiring in-patient care.
After having my family, I was on duty on nights for a couple of years, before finally leaving the Canterbury hospice in 2000 to move to the Ashford hospice, to set up the day services centre there. Over these past years, Pilgrims has grown and developed dramatically to meet the needs of the people of east Kent, but always with the wonderful philosophy to support and come alongside patients, families and bereaved loved ones throughout the latter part of their lives. I consider it a real privilege to have been part of this amazing team of staff and volunteers for so long.
Pilgrims Hospices opened in Canterbury in June 1982, followed by Thanet in 1992, and Ashford in 2001. That means we have a lot to celebrate this year!
If you’d like to join us to celebrate our special birthdays by donating you can visit our JustGiving or Facebook pages.
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.
