Charlotte’s story: “Pilgrims treated my grandma like royalty”
Charlotte Ridley, an editor and artist from Smarden, ran the Royal Parks Half Marathon for Pilgrims Hospices in October 2026 in memory of her grandma, Jean Ridley.
She raised more than £1,200 for the hospice charity to say thank you for the care Jean received in her final weeks.
Charlotte with her grandma, Jean
Jean lived in Smarden her whole life, and was well-loved within her local community. In 2023, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer; after two years of chemotherapy treatment, she was referred to Pilgrims Hospices, and died at the Ashford hospice in January 2025, aged 87.
Charlotte said: “My grandma and I were very close; we lived together for most of my life. She always supported me and was the strongest woman in my entire family.
“She said yes to every possible treatment offered and went through chemo like an absolute boss, hardly ever complaining, simply playing the cards she was dealt. From the minute she was diagnosed, she unequivocally said she wanted to go into the Ashford hospice when the time came; she’d volunteered in Pilgrims’ Tenterden shop for more than 10 years when she was younger, so was familiar with the charity.
“Her wishes were upheld; in January 2025, upon needing a bed, the Ashford team did everything they could to get her in quickly and with no fuss. They treated her like royalty whilst supporting our family through the toughest weeks. She received the best care, and she fought for those final weeks with everything she had, under the incredible care of the Ashford hospice staff. They were always on hand to help and nothing was too much trouble. They even visited my grandma at home and called daily to offer support before she was officially in their care.
Charlotte and her grandma at an art exhibition in April 2024
“After she passed, it was her wish that donations be made in her name to Pilgrims; from the church service and donations via the funeral directors, over £1,000 was raised in her memory! I wanted to carry this forward through my own fundraising.”
Charlotte completed the Royal Parks Half Marathon on 11 October 2026, raising £1,288.99 for Pilgrims. Many donations came from her local community, who knew and loved Jean. Charlotte also runs a print club – Pelican Post (@charlotteridleyart) – which is a monthly subscription service where members receive original artwork designed and created by her, through the post. Charlotte advertised that all profits from the months before the half marathon would go towards her fundraising goal, something that contributed massively to her total:
Charlotte at the Royal Parks Half Marathon 2026
“I woke up on the day of the Royal Parks Half Marathon super excited for the event and the day ahead. I crossed the start line at about 09:00am kitted out in Pilgrims blue, with blue hairclips and blue jewelry to match!
“The atmosphere of one of London’s most iconic races was absolutely amazing; it was such a privilege to run through the streets lined with supporters and see famous landmarks as I made my way round. It started to get really tough around 18km, but as I remembered why I was running, I pushed through to get a time I was really proud of. I crossed the finish line knowing I had given it my best shot and feeling really proud to represent the people I was running for.
“The rest of the day was dedicated to eating a copious amount of pastries and reuniting with my supporters, who were definitely the loudest ones cheering at the 15km checkpoint! I’m so grateful to Pilgrims for enabling me to represent them, and I hope that all the amazing people who have donated to me know that they’ve made such a difference.”
Charlotte continued:
“I thought it would be fitting to draw attention to a charity very close to home, not only emotionally due to the personal connection, but literally! I personally wanted to be able to know that my fundraising efforts and donations contributed to the great work Pilgrims do in east Kent.
“Our community were incredible in supporting my fundraising, and they also shared their favourite memories of my grandma, which was lovely. In addition, my mum, Alison, is an artist and arts events organiser, and has been instrumental in helping me build and run my print club, to ensure the largest percentage of profits could go towards my goal.
“I hope that through my fundraising, more people learn about the great work Pilgrims does, and that the money raised helps to give others the same care my family received at the most critical time; I hope more families are lucky enough to be cared for by Pilgrims when they need it most.”
Feeling inspired to take on your next running challenge for Pilgrims?
Pilgrims Hospices provides compassionate, specialist care free of charge to thousands of people in east Kent each year who are living with life-limiting conditions. Support is offered in patients’ homes, in the community, and at our three hospice sites in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford. We also run a 24-hour advice line.
19th October 2026
Introducing Dr. Tina Ivanov: “I have a genuine interest in how we get death and dying right for people”
Dr. Tina Ivanov is the Director of Clinical Operations at Pilgrims Hospices; she joined the charity in March 2026, following a long career as a paramedic in both Australia and England.
She has also worked in clinical education and service development, helping to keep patients safe, engaging staff, and leading on clinical governance.
Tina shares what drew her to palliative care, and her hopes for the future at Pilgrims.
Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Tina moved to the UK in 2015:
“People always ask me why I left Oz. Firstly, I love to travel, and the world seems much closer when based in England. But the other reason was work; I thought I could learn so much being part of the healthcare system in England. It’s not perfect, but there’s a lot to be excited about in the way we deliver health and care here.”
What is your professional background?
“It’s a lovely mix of clinical, people and education. I’ve been a registered paramedic, which is one of the Allied Health Professions, for nearly three decades. I also have a professional membership with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, and I’m a Doctor of Education.
I’ve worked in ambulance services and a hospital, as well as in universities, in lecturing and course development, for most of my career. I’ve been a manager for about 20 years, leading teams and services, and working at senior levels across operations, people and service development.”
Tina at work as a paramedic in Australia
What drew you to palliative care? What is your personal experience of palliative care?
Tina’s mum, Dorothy, with her grandson (Tina’s son), Luke
“As a paramedic, I’ve seen the full spectrum of palliative patients, dying and death. In my early career, I felt I needed to “save” everyone, but as I learnt more and saw the reality, my approach to death and dying changed. I saw that having dignity in death and allowing the dying person to feel supported and in control, and providing information to them and their family, was far more beneficial than medication or intervention – so I have a genuine interest in how we get this right for people.
I experienced this personally through my mum, Dorothy, who lived with Parkinson’s disease for many years before being diagnosed with terminal cancer. Although one part of my family remained in denial right to the end, my mum wanted a safe space to talk about her wishes and to die at home. The support provided by the hospice team was exceptional, and my mum died at home with us there. Being able to support that outcome for her was one of the most privileged positions I could be in.
These two experiences made me curious about best practice in palliative and end-of-life care; not just from a medical point of view, but with the whole picture in mind – psychological, environmental, the family, support – everything.”
Why did you choose Pilgrims Hospices? What do you enjoy about your role?
“The more I learnt about Pilgrims, the more I felt this is the right place for me. It has such a strong connection to the community we serve, which is so important to me. When I asked people about the charity, everyone spoke with such pride and connection, and I wanted to be part of that. And now that I’m here, I feel it; it’s not words on a poster on a wall, it’s real, and something I experience every day. Our people, staff, patients and volunteers all really matter.
I love working with individual teams and hearing about those stories where families and patients are supported, the stuff that goes on behind the work. Because we get to know our patients, we can do the very personal things that make such a difference. I love that, as Pilgrims, we champion that and give people the space to do it properly. It gives me a real positive energy in my role, and it’s what makes Pilgrims a very special place to work.”
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.
Love, music and making memories: Claire and Simon’s story
For Pilgrims Hospices patient, Claire Scott, and her husband, Simon, life is filled with love, music and a deep appreciation for every moment they share together.
When Claire, 55, a talented pianist, met Simon, 45, a singer and songwriter, at a training event, their connection was immediate, love blossomed almost straight away.
Now living in Lyminge, the couple have built a life centred around creativity, compassion, and making meaningful memories together. They’ve even performed side by side at garden parties, sharing their love of music with others.
Claire was first diagnosed with breast cancer 13 years ago.
After treatment, she enjoyed precious years of stability, but two years ago received the devastating news that her cancer had returned and spread to her liver, bones and spine. Since then, she has undergone various treatments, determined, as she says, to “buy a little more time.”
Despite the challenges, Claire approaches each day with honesty, strength and remarkable positivity.
“I’ve recently been offered a new course of chemotherapy,” Claire explained.
“There’s hope it could give me more time, possibly even a couple of years. That means everything to us. It’s time to be together, to plan, and to make sure things are in place for Simon.”
With a background as a medical secretary, Claire feels she has been able to understand her diagnosis and treatment more clearly, helping her to make informed decisions about her care. Recently, a combination of steroid medication and pain relief has helped her feel more positive again, though she is open about the reality of living with serious illness.
“There are good days and bad days,” she said. “Some days are much harder than others, but I will always strive to be positive and grateful for the time I have with Simon, my family and loved ones.”
Support from Pilgrims Hospices has been central to both Claire and Simon’s journey.
“Pilgrims is full of warmth and love, it feels like a family,” Claire said.
“The team regularly check in with me to make sure I’m feeling supported and making the most of everything available. From the doctors, nurses, health care assistants, and wellbeing teams, I feel like I have a cushion of support helping me through every emotional step. It’s like they’re saying, ‘It’s OK, we’ve got you.’”
Through Pilgrims’ wellbeing services, Claire has taken part in therapeutic art, and creative sessions such as Tiles of Joy, while also recording special messages for her loved ones through the Blackbird Project, leaving behind treasured memories in her own voice.
For Simon, support has come through counselling and wellbeing walks, helping him to navigate the emotional challenges of Claire’s illness. Music, too, remains a powerful outlet. He has written a deeply personal song, Blessed, which will one day be played at Claire’s funeral, a reflection of their love and shared journey.
“Having the time to make these decisions together is incredibly important,” Simon said.
Claire is equally focused on Simon’s future, encouraging him to continue creating and sharing his music.
“We are both really creative,” she said. “I want Simon to have wonderful projects to focus on moving forward.”
Recently, the couple created one of their most treasured memories, their wedding day. With support from the charity Gift of a Wedding, Claire and Simon were able to celebrate a beautiful ceremony at Broome Park on 27 March 2026.
In just five weeks, an incredible team of supporters brought the day together, with everything from the venue and dress to photography, cake, and hair and make-up generously donated.
“It was the most wonderful day,” Claire said. “We didn’t feel a burning need to get married, we did it purely for love.”
Surrounded by family, along with members of the Pilgrims team, the day was a celebration not just of their relationship, but of life itself.
“We feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such a loving family,” Claire shared. “They are kind, supportive, and bring light even in the hardest moments.”
Claire and Simon
Together, Claire and Simon have made a conscious choice to face the future with openness and positivity.
“People can sometimes see death as something very dark,” Claire reflected. “But for us, it’s about embracing the time we have, focusing on love, creativity, and the kindness we receive from family, friends and Pilgrims.”
Simon is now passionate about giving back, using his music to support others facing similar journeys. He recently played some music for a fellow Pilgrims patient; one of the pieces really helpedthem reconnect with their family, which was wonderful, a moment that stayed with him deeply.
For Claire and Simon, every day matters.
“Pilgrims holds such a special place in our hearts,” Claire said.
“Knowing they are here for both of us, now and in the future, helps us remain positive. I know Simon will continue to support hospice care long after I’m gone.”
Together, they continue to focus on what truly counts: love, connection, creativity, and making the most of the time they have, holding on to joy, even in life’s most difficult moments.
Pilgrims Hospices provides compassionate, specialist care free of charge to thousands of people in east Kent each year who are living with life-limiting conditions. Support is offered in patients’ homes, in the community, and at our three hospice sites in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford. We also run a 24-hour advice line.
16th October 2026
The heart of hospice care: Celebrating our Health Care Assistants
Behind every moment of comfort, every reassuring smile and every act of kindness at Pilgrims Hospices, there is often a Health Care Assistant (HCA) helping to make it possible.
Health Care Assistants are an essential part of our clinical teams, providing skilled, hands-on care, practical support and emotional reassurance to patients and those closest to them. Working alongside registered nurses and the wider multidisciplinary team, they help ensure everyone receives personalised care that respects their wishes, dignity and independence.
Whether supporting patients on our inpatient wards or visiting people in their own homes through our community services, HCAs play an important role in helping people live well and make the most of every precious moment. But the role of a Health Care Assistant is about much more than the care they provide.
Our HCAs are often the people who notice the little things that make a big difference – recognising when someone needs a cup of tea, a quiet conversation, a helping hand, or simply someone to sit beside them.
They provide personal care with kindness and dignity, support independence wherever possible, and offer reassurance to patients and families during some of life’s most important moments.
They also help create special memories, supporting celebrations such as birthdays and weddings, and helping to arrange cuddle beds so loved ones can spend precious time together.
Alongside their clinical skills, our HCAs bring warmth, humour and compassion to their roles. They help create the calm, welcoming atmosphere that makes Pilgrims Hospices such a special place.
4 Theresa HCA
5 Marife HCA
6 Sharon Amber And Sarah HCAs
Making every moment matter
For many of our HCAs, the privilege of supporting patients and families at such an important time in their lives is what makes their role so rewarding.
Melanie has been a Health Care Assistant with Pilgrims for nine years.
“It’s all about the patients and their loved ones. It’s a very special job,” she said. Michael, who has been part of the Pilgrims team for three years, shares the same passion for making a difference every day.
Theresa joined Pilgrims Canterbury around seven months ago following a 20-year NHS career, which began in end-of-life care at Kent and Canterbury Hospital.
“It’s a wonderful, calm environment with caring colleagues, it’s a team that makes everything work so well, everyone plays their part.”
For many HCAs, the sense of belonging and the support of their colleagues is one of the things that makes working at Pilgrims so special.
An essential part of the team
Tina Ivanov, Director of Clinical Operations at Pilgrims Hospices, said: “Health Care Assistants are an essential part of our clinical teams. Their compassion, dedication, and commitment makes a huge difference to patients and families every day.
“They provide skilled and compassionate support, working closely with nurses and colleagues across our services to deliver the personalised care that Pilgrims is known for. Their ability to notice the small things and bring comfort at exactly the right moment is truly special.”
Nurses across Pilgrims also recognise the important contribution HCAs make, describing them as trusted colleagues who bring valuable knowledge, experience, and insight into every aspect of patient care.
Kate White, Senior Nurse Manager, said: “Our HCAs are at the heart of the care we provide. Their compassion, dedication, and ability to bring comfort, dignity and reassurance to patients and families every day is truly invaluable.”
3 Carole HCA
2 Michael HCA
1 Monica HCA
The moments that matter
Carole has been a Health Care Assistant at Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury for 18 years and loves being part of a team that helps make every moment special for patients and families.
“I love supporting the patients and families and helping to make every moment special,” she said. “Being part of a team and knowing that we all care so passionately about what we do means so much.”
Alongside her caring role, Carole enjoys creating seasonal displays on the ward, from Wimbledon-inspired decorations to autumn leaves and festive scenes, bringing smiles to patients, visitors and colleagues alike.
Amber has been a Health Care Assistant at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet for two years, having previously worked at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate. After taking time away from work to care for her daughter, Amber reflected on what was most important to her and discovered a real passion for end-of-life care.
“I truly love the relationships we’re able to build with our patients at Pilgrims,” she said. “Being part of the team is really special. We communicate so well, support one another, and always come together when it matters.”
Sharon has spent the past two years as part of the HCA team at Thanet, following previous experience with Pilgrims’ Hospice at Home service. With 11 years of valuable Pilgrims experience, she knows how important teamwork is.
“Patients never realise what a jolly place it is here,” she said. “To hear the laughter and spend time chatting with the HCAs can make a world of difference to patients and their families.”
At Pilgrims Hospice Ashford, the team shared the same feelings; Monica and Marife said: “It’s a privilege to care for people when they need us most.Every day is different, but knowing we’ve made someone’s day a little easier is incredibly rewarding.”
Every day, our Health Care Assistants bring compassion, dignity, reassurance and kindness to patients and families across east Kent. Whether offering practical care, sharing a quiet conversation, or helping to create lasting memories, they are at the very heart of hospice care.
A day in the life of a Health Care Assistant
Providing personal care with dignity and compassion
Helping patients maintain their independence
Working alongside nurses and the wider clinical team
Supporting families through precious moments
Creating special memories and celebrations
Offering comfort, reassurance and companionship
Helping make every moment matter
Thank you to every one of our Health Care Assistants for the extraordinary difference you make every day.
Pilgrims Hospices provides compassionate, specialist care free of charge to thousands of people in east Kent each year who are living with life-limiting conditions. Support is offered in patients’ homes, in the community, and at our three hospice sites in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford. We also run a 24-hour advice line.
15th October 2026
Tiles of Joy, creativity, connection and moments of happiness at Pilgrims Hospices
Photograph: Palak Sharma, Wellbeing Practitioner with Kavita Sodhi, Wellbeing Practioner Lead
A beautiful community art project, kindly funded by the Cantiacorum Foundation, is bringing colour, creativity and connection to Pilgrims Hospices, as patients, carers, staff and volunteers come together to take part in Tiles of Joy.
Led by ceramic artist Jayne Wright of JAW Ceramics CIC, Tiles of Joy began in 2023 in partnership with Power of Women (POW) Thanet, with an inspiring workshop at the Margate Caves.
Since then, the project has grown into something truly special, with more than 2,000 handcrafted tiles created by people across Thanet and beyond.
The project has united a wide range of community groups, from local schools and heritage organisations to social inclusion initiatives and arts groups, nurturing creativity and connection across the area.
More recently, Pilgrims’ Wellbeing groups have been taking part in the inspiring Tiles of Joy project. Patients, carers, Stepping Stones bereavement groups, staff and volunteers were invited to create their own ceramic tiles, each reflecting what brings them happiness. During the sessions, participants explored clay by scraping, indenting and shaping their designs, supported throughout by Jayne, who then carefully fired each piece before returning them ready for display.
Now proudly displayed at the hospices in Ashford and Thanet, these unique artworks form beautiful, fixed installations, each tile telling its own story and together creating a lasting celebration of community, creativity and care.
The experience has been both thought-provoking and uplifting. Participants have not only enjoyed the hands-on creative process, but also the special experience of seeing their work become part of a shared piece of art, something that will continue to bring comfort and joy to all who visit.
The project has also inspired Pilgrims’ Wellbeing team to explore how clay and creative therapies could play a bigger role in future sessions, opening up new opportunities to support patients and families through creativity and wellbeing activities.
Ann with the Tiles of Joy mural at Pilgrims Hospice Ashford
As the Wellbeing team shared:
“It has been such a meaningful experience for everyone involved. Seeing people relax into the process, express themselves so freely, and then light up when they see their finished tile on display, has been incredibly special.”
Ann Mapley, a Wellbeing patient at Pilgrims Hospices who took part in the sessions, said:
“The brief was to design tiles that meant something to us, and for me that was my grandchildren. One of them loves George’s Dragon and the other loves snails, so I created a dragon and a snail on my tiles. It was such a fun afternoon, there were lots of laughs and giggles as we all tried to get everything just right with help from the lovely ladies running the session.
“Seeing the mural come together has been wonderful; it looks so lovely now. I first found out about the project through a leaflet that had been brought in, and I’m really glad I took part.”
Tiles of Joy is a reminder that even small moments of creativity can have a lasting impact, bringing people together, sparking reflection, and creating something truly meaningful.
Anne Mapley Tiles Of Joy 2
Anne Mapley Tiles Of Joy 1
Ann’s tiles
Follow Tiles of Joy on Instagram to find out more:@tilesofjoy
Pilgrims run a wide range of wellbeing groups and activities designed to support patients to live well, stay connected and enjoy the best quality of life possible.
For more information on Pilgrims Hospices’ Wellbeing Programme:
Call the Pilgrims Hospices Advice Line on01233 504 133
Pilgrims Hospices provides compassionate, specialist care free of charge to thousands of people in east Kent each year who are living with life-limiting conditions. Support is offered in patients’ homes, in the community, and at our three hospice sites in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford. We also run a 24-hour advice line.
14th October 2026
A tribute to Alex Miles: “Pilgrims go above and beyond”
Alex Miles from Folkestone was a family man; a devoted husband to Ruth and father to Millie, Jake, Mason, Layla and Bailey, he served as a sergeant in Kent Police and played football for Folkestone Invicta FC.
In 2019, Alex, then aged 44, was diagnosed with lung cancer, which had spread to his bones. He began treatment and, with his condition managed, was able to live relatively well and even continue working.
But in 2024, Alex suffered two strokes, after which he was admitted to Pilgrims Hospices for end-of-life care.
Alex died at the Ashford hospice in September 2024, aged 49.
Alex and Ruth with family on their wedding dayAlex with his son, Bailey
Ruth shares how Pilgrims helped their family to make the most of their precious final moments with Alex, and supported them in their grief after his death:
“Alex was transferred from hospital; after the second stroke, he wasn’t really conscious, but Pilgrims made him comfortable – it was noticeable as soon as he got to the hospice.
“As a family, we had such a positive experience of Pilgrims’ care. Alex was only in the hospice for a few days, and although it was never going to be easy, it was as comforting as it could possibly have been. We had a family room, so a few of us could sleep in there with Alex. Friends and family could visit any time to say their goodbyes.
“I was breastfeeding our youngest child, Bailey, who was just five months old at the time. The kind nurses and staff were so supportive – they made us countless cups of tea and toast, took Bailey for walks and played with him to give us a break, answered our questions, held our hands and simply listened. They even shared their own stories with us; we learned that so many of them have personal experiences of hospice care, which is what inspired them to work for Pilgrims. They did all this whilst keeping Alex comfortable; they really do go above and beyond.”
“After Alex died, myself and one of Alex’s older children were offered bereavement counselling; we really appreciated that continuity of care. I also had massages from the complementary therapy team, which were lovely.
“I can’t fault Pilgrims, they’re fantastic.”
In April 2025, Alex’s family launched the inaugural Miles Memorial Cup – a football match in honour of Alex to celebrate his life, which they plan to make an annual event. On 18 April 2026, the match was held in aid of Pilgrims, raising £4,000 for local hospice care.
Ruth said:
“We wanted to give back to those that helped us on Alex’s journey; Pilgrims were able to offer the specialist, compassionate care that Alex needed at the end of his life, when no one else could. If our fundraising helps just one other family to have that same support and peace, it will mean so much to us. We’re lucky to have such brilliant hospice care in the UK, but it is only available thanks to peoples’ generous support and donations – that’s why it’s so important for us to fundraise for Pilgrims.
“Any opportunity to talk about Alex and have other people remember him, I’ll take it, because he deserves that. It’s very comforting for me. Although Alex’s life was cut short, this is how we can keep his memory alive.”
Alex Miles With His Wife Ruth
Alex Miles With Family
Alex And Ruth Miles With Their Children Mason, Layla And Bailey
Alex Miles With His Children L R Jake, Mason, Millie And Layla
Alex Miles With His Children Mason And Layla
Top Alex Miles With His Sister Nicola And His Uncle
Follow @milesmemorialcup on Instagram for news and updates about the annual Miles Memorial Cup.
Pilgrims Hospices provides compassionate, specialist care free of charge to thousands of people in east Kent each year who are living with life-limiting conditions. Support is offered in patients’ homes, in the community, and at our three hospice sites in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford. We also run a 24-hour advice line.
