Supporters enjoyed Pilgrims Hospices It’s a Knockout event at Government Acre, Ramsgate on Sunday 19 May 2019.
The Thanet hospice fundraising team has run this much-loved event for the past seven years; generating vital funds for hospice care and an opportunity for friends, families and local businesses to take on some crazy antics and compete against each team for that most important winner’s medal.
Teams took part in the hilarious bouncy obstacle courses, wet and dry challenges as well as fancy dress, each team taking a chance and playing their joker cards to win top points. The laughter was infectious as the teams competed to win while supporting the much-loved local charity.
You are all deserving winners to us, thank you for a wonderful day.
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager
Teams from around the area took part including SPH Charity Team (Spencer Private Hospitals) from Margate. They supported the event again because each member of the team has known someone who has been supported by Pilgrims Hospices.
The English Roses team said: “We took part to help raise vital funds to help support the amazing care provided at Pilgrims Hospices; one of our team members, Maxine White, is a Health Care Assistant (HCA) at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet, what a brilliant day we’ve had.”
Nicola Williams, team captain of Nic’s Knockouts from Ramsgate, said: “We love this event and so want to win this year; I have also made a joker this year of Donald Trump.”
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager and organiser of the event, said: “This really is a fun event with many supporters returning each year, some of the jokers are hilarious.
“I would like to thank everyone who attended either by taking part, sponsoring their team members, spectators who came along to cheer the teams, the staff and volunteers for helping run our fun stalls, Margate ambulance, catering teams and our very own Knockout team members, and to those who made or dressed up as mascots to help their teams double points.
“Your wonderful support will enable us to continue to provide palliative care for the next person who needs it, both within the hospice and at home. Last year the event raised an incredible £16,400. Early indications show that this year’s event has raised around £5,000 with further sponsorship still to come in.”
Karen added: “It costs just over £6,800 a day to run each of our three hospice inpatient units, so community support from events like this makes a huge difference to our charity.
The winning team was Nic’s Knockouts (they did it, so competitive) and runners up were Broadstairs Business Club and The Wibbly Wobbly Marauders, with team English Roses coming in the last place and receiving wooden spoons.
“Everyone who supported the event received a medal from Pilgrims Hospices, whatever place they finished, as a huge thank you for taking part. You are all deserving winners to us, thank you for a wonderful day.”
Each year Pilgrims supports hundreds of local people coping with a life-limiting illness and their families. The charity offers a range of services: from end of life care given on its wards to its Wellbeing and Social Programme supporting people after they are diagnosed to live well and stay independent.
8th August 2018
Spencer Private Hospitals present knockout cheque to Pilgrims
A group of colleagues from Spencer Private Hospitals have presented a cheque for almost £1,300 to Pilgrims Hospice Thanet. The amazing donation was raised by the staff team who took part in Pilgrims’ It’s a Knockout event in Ramsgate earlier this year.
A team of ten, each with personal experience of Pilgrims Hospices’ care, raised cash and awareness by collecting sponsorship from family, friends, and colleagues for their madcap team challenge.
They were amongst teams from local businesses, colleagues and friends who rolled, jumped, ran and generally laughed their way across bouncing castles and slippery slides to support Pilgrims.
Each member of our team had a positive, personal story about Pilgrims Hospices.
Jennifer Whitehead, Customer Service Manager at Spencer Private Hospitals
Jennifer Whitehead, Customer Service Manager for Spencer Private Hospitals, said: “Each member of our team had a positive, personal story about Pilgrims Hospices, so it was a natural choice for us to support them.
“It’s a Knockout was an absolutely brilliant day for fundraising and I’m so proud of how we did as a team. The support received and the money raised is a testament to the hard work we put in as a team, and we’re delighted it’s going to Pilgrims Hospices.”
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet, accepted the cheque and said: “We wish to thank the Spencer team and everyone who supported their efforts by contributing to the fundraising.
“This very generous contribution will make a huge difference to so many people who need our care locally.
We wish to thank the Spencer team and everyone who supported their efforts by contributing to the fundraising. This very generous contribution will make a huge difference to so many people who need our care locally.
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet
“We have once again enjoyed hearing about the fun the team had at our It’s a Knockout event and hope that Jennifer and her team will be entering a team for the event next year.”
If you or someone you know is coping with a life-limiting illness and you think you may benefit from Pilgrims support, talk to your GP or Healthcare Professional about the options or click here to read about Pilgrims Hospices services.
23rd May 2018
Sixth annual Pilgrims It’s a Knockout is a great success
Hundreds of supporters enjoyed Pilgrims Hospices It’s a Knockout event at Government Acre, Ramsgate on Sunday 20 May. The Thanet hospice has now run this important fundraising event for six years, generating vital funds for hospice care and an opportunity for friends, families and local businesses to take on some crazy antics and compete for the winner’s trophy.
This year 16 teams entered, including last year’s winners the Stormloopers, with everyone taking on bouncy obstacle courses and slippery slides. Each team could play their joker cards to win extra points. The laughter was infectious as teams competed to win while supporting the much-loved local charity.
Teams from around the area took part including SPH Charity Team (Spencer Private Hospitals) from Margate; each team member has known someone who has been supported by Pilgrims.
Toni Topping from the It Is What It Is team from Deal said: “We took part in It’s a Knockout in 2017; today we’re doing it in memory of our friend Sean Hammond who was our team mascot last year. He was supported by Pilgrims at home.”
Kieran Wynne from team Gone with the Winded (Ivor Thomas Amusements) from Ramsgate said: “We do a lot of charity work as a company and It’s a Knockout is a great team builder.”
The Team That Cannot Wait
Katy's Kittens and Bunny's Honeys
Stormloopers
Gone With the Winded (Ivor Thomas Amusements)
It Is What It Is
Stone Bay Slumber Party
Randolphinis
Andrew & Co.
Chuffer Nut
80s Stone Bay Crew
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager, said: “This really is a fun event with many supporters returning each year.
“I’d like to thank everyone who attended – those who took part, sponsored their team members, spectated on the day to cheer their teams on, volunteered to help run our fun stalls, our amazing event sponsors Stagecoach and those who made or dressed up as mascots to help their teams double points.
“Your wonderful support will enable us to continue providing care for all who need it, both in the hospice and at home. Last year It’s a Knockout raised an incredible £16,109. Early indications show that this year’s event has raised £11,326 with further sponsorship still to come in.”
Karen added; “It costs just over £6,800 a day to run each of our three hospices inpatient units, so community support from events like this makes a huge difference to our charity.
We took part in It’s a Knockout in 2017; today we’re doing it in memory of our friend Sean Hammond who was our team mascot last year. He was supported by Pilgrims at home.
Toni Topping, Team: It Is What It Is
The winning team were event sponsors Stagecoach, whose team the Stormloopers completed a hat trick by winning this event for the third year in a row. The runners up were team It Is What It Is; last place went to The Team That Cannot Wait, who received wooden spoons.
“Whatever place they came, everyone who supported the event received a medal from Pilgrims Hospices as huge thank for taking part. You are all deserving winners to us; thank you for a wonderful day.”
Chris Ray and Gary Warren from the Stormloopers team said: “Pilgrims is a charity close to our hearts. We’ve won It’s a Knockout for the past two years; today we’ve completed the hat trick!”
Teams from further afield included Chuffer Nut from Ashford and Canterbury. Team member Zoe Tyzack said: “It’s a very worthy cause that we absolutely adore.”
Team member and mascot Diane Smith from Stone Bay Slumber Party from Broadstairs said: “It was so much fun last year that we wanted to take part again and raise money for a good cause.”
It was so much fun last year that we wanted to take part again and raise money for a good cause.
Diane Smith, Team: Stone Bay Slumber Party
Pete Bishop, a regular Pilgrims supporter and team member of Gone With the Winded, said: “My wife, Tatum, was cared for at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet and support by the Hospice at Home team. We’ve already raised more than £1,300 for Pilgrims this year by holding our annual quiz for the hospice.”
Alex Chapman-King, team member of Katy’s Kittens from Thanet, said: “We’re taking part in memory of my wife, Katy, who was cared for at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet earlier this year. We’ve already raised £5,000 for Cancer Research UK and will be taking on Tough Mudder, a parachute jump and the Canterbury Half Marathon to raise even more money for Pilgrims Hospices.”
If you or someone you know is coping with a life limiting illness and you think you may benefit from Pilgrims support, talk to your GP or Healthcare Professional about the options or find out more about our Wellbeing and Social Programme.