The Rotary Club of Thanet support Pilgrims Hospices
The Rotary Club of Thanet are unable to meet at the Royal Temple Yacht Club for their regular Monday evenings, during the coronavirus lockdown. They have generously donated their weekly meal money to local charities who are being affected within the community.
Neal Elliott from the Rotary Club said: “We are donating £1,000 to Pilgrims Hospices who are short of funds due to the current crisis, along with donations to other charities.”
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager said: “With the charity facing challenging times, together with everyone in the UK due to the COVID-19 outbreak this generous donation of £1,000 couldn’t have come at a better time.
“The past few weeks have been unexpectedly difficult for Pilgrims Hospices. Sadly, we recently had to ask most of our incredible 1,500 volunteers to stay safely at home, close our shops, cancel or postpone many of our fundraising activities.
“Despite this, our vital work has not stopped. We still continue to provide compassionate care and support at our hospices and in the community to ensure our patients, their families and our staff are all remaining safe.
The charity has developed and implemented lots of changes to adapt and respond at this time for the community that needs its services. It has been creative about how it can continue to deliver services both within its inpatient units and to those it cares for and supports in the community by telephone and online facilities.
It costs £14 million per year to run the full range of Pilgrims clinical services. To do this, the charity relies heavily on the support and generosity of the local community. It has to raise 80% of the £14 million and these costs are generated through fundraising and donations. The coming months will be an extremely challenging time for Pilgrims and it remains positive, creative and innovative to aim to be there for the next family that needs its clinical care.
Karen added: “I would like to personally thank each and every one of you for thinking of Pilgrims Hospices in such difficult times; we are so very humbled and grateful.”
Please note: All photos featured were taken before the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are so many ways you can continue to support Pilgrims, even from your homes. Visit the Pilgrims website for some virtual challenges and become a #StayHomeHospiceHero, helping to make a difference from your home.
We need you more than ever; our local community means everything to us.
Thank you.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,400 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.
6th April 2020
Thanet Police Theatre Club raises £4,400 for Pilgrims Hospices
The annual pantomime production from the Thanet Police Theatre Club panto has raised an incredible £4,400 for Pilgrims Hospices care.
Cast members from the magical and hugely entertaining ‘Wizard from Auss’ met with Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager for Pilgrims Hospice Thanet to celebrate the fantastic donation in support of the much-loved local hospice.
Martin Luke Douglas, the production co-director said: “Pilgrims Hospices is an important part of our community, we know our donation will be contributing to vital services for local people. I would like to thank everyone for continuing to support them at such difficult times for all of us.”
Karen said: “Each year the Police Theatre Club pantos are such great entertainment for the whole family. This year, it was even more special for me, it was my favourite.
“I would like to give a special mention to the most talented Jeff Barker, who played the scarecrow; what a wonderful performance, he’s so talented and the character was surreal!
“I have to say the whole cast were absolutely brilliant. I cannot wait to see next year’s Jack and the Beanstalk production.”
Pilgrims Hospices send hearty congratulations to the Theatre Club for giving such a brilliant performance and grateful thanks for this generous donation. The hospices are dependant on the local community to help support end-of-life care services; without them, we simply wouldn’t be here.
Please note: All photos featured were taken before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Care is provided from three hospice sites in Thanet, Canterbury and Ashford, 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.
15th January 2020
Popular seaside golf club generously supports Pilgrims Hospices
North Foreland Golf Club has supported Pilgrims Hospice Thanet throughout 2019. The popular Broadstairs golf club generously donated almost £20,000 for hospice care.
The annual coffee morning raised £1,225, Old and Bold Men’s team added £1,000 to the growing total with an additional £245 from the Golf Society. Pilgrims were presented a magnificent £17,000 on New Year’s Day; the money was raised through a grand raffle draw organised by Richard Keel, North Foreland men’s captain.
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager said: “Thank you so much for these incredible donations.
Joan Stanford, North Foreland Golf Club with Caroline Dixon, Pilgrims Hospices
“It costs £20 per hour to provide nursing care; North Foreland supporters will provide over 973 hours of patient care.
“Thank you to everyone who purchased a raffle ticket, a cake, a book or donated in support of Pilgrims Hospices.
“We would not be able to provide care without your generosity.”
Arthur King from the Old and Bold of North Foreland Golf Club with Karen Kenward, Pilgrims Hospices
If you would like to support Pilgrims by organising a fundraising event, please contact your local Pilgrims fundraising team, they will be delighted to hear from you.
Care is provided from three hospice sites in Thanet, Canterbury and Ashford 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.
22nd October 2019
Pilgrims supporters add colour to the coastline of Thanet
The Thanet 5K Colour Run returned to Margate with a blast of colour on Sunday 20 October, raising valuable funds for Pilgrims Hospices care. More than 800 adults and children were on a mission to add colour to the coastline of Thanet. Complete with colourful glasses and white t-shirts, excited Pilgrims supporters got ready to run, jog and walk through the clouds of vibrant and multi-coloured paints.
Those taking part warmed up with a fun work out from Bex from Zuma Margate, followed by the countdown from Karen Kenward, Pilgrims Hospices Community Fundraising Manager. The sky was filled with colour as the lively crowds made their way through the colour stations and along the coastal route from The Oval, Clintonville, Margate. The atmosphere was filled with the sound of laughter as everyone set off toward Palm Bay.
The atmosphere this event creates is just incredible.
Karen, Pilgrims Hospices
Karen said: “This is Pilgrims Hospices fourth Colour Run and, again we’ve exceeded our expectations.
“We were delighted to welcome Pilgrims Chair of Trustees, Richard Davis, who came to watch the spectacle and cheer our runners on their way. Richard also handed out the colourful sunglasses to everyone taking part in the event.”
Richard said: “I went to help and support at the Colour Run last year and, put my name down to get involved again this year.
“The colours and the number of supporters are just overwhelming, such a wonderful and enjoyable event for the whole family.”
Karen went on to say: “The atmosphere this event creates is just incredible; you really have to be there to see it, colour and laughter all the way.
“What an amazing way to raise much needed funds to support palliative care for the next person who needs us.”
A huge Pilgrims thank you to Your Leisure, Westwood Cross Shopping Centre, Margate Ambulance, Stagecoach, Copy Shop, Academy Radio, Matt & Vino from Mini Stores in Deal, Bex for our warm up, all the staff and volunteers who helped make the event possible and most importantly, each and everyone of you for taking part. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did, see you all next year.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,400 people in east Kent 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. Care is provided from three hospice sites in Thanet, Canterbury and Ashford 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.
14th October 2019
Successful fundraising year for St. Anthony’s School
There were lots of smiles and a big cheer when pupils and staff at St. Anthony’s School in Margate learned how successful their fundraising year had been by raising an incredible £2092.27 for the school’s charity of choice, Pilgrims Hospices.
Over the year they held cake sales, a colouring competition, did a Christmas card fundraiser and took part in sponsored walks, they raised an amazing £2092.27 for the charity.
Caroline Dixon, Pilgrims Hospices Community Fundraising Officer, said: “I really can’t thank everyone at the school enough for their amazing support. It’s been so lovely to be part of their fundraising activities over the year, especially when I have been invited along to their cake sales. This wonderful amount has been raised by both the pupils and staff, a great team effort.”
We are proud to contribute to our community in this way and we are already planning further exciting fundraisers for this coming year.
Antony Curry, St. Anthony’s School
St. Anthony’s Assistant Head Teacher Antony Curry is incredibly proud of what everyone at the school has achieved, he said: “Pupils at St. Anthony’s take great pride in supporting Pilgrims Hospices. Through our friendship with Caroline, we have gained an understanding of the importance and outstanding work the charity does.
“This association has allowed our students to show their caring and generous nature. This remarkable amount of money has been raised through a variety of events that have been hugely enjoyed by all.
“We are proud to contribute to our community in this way and we are already planning further exciting fundraisers for this coming year.”
The pupils sponsored walk took place on Monday 15th July and Head Teacher Rob Page joined them on their 20 laps of the school field. Each person who took part received a special medal from Caroline as a thank you from the charity and a well-deserved ice lolly from Antony which went down very well with everyone.
I am made to feel so welcome by everyone, it’s always a pleasure to visit St. Anthony’s School.
Caroline, Pilgrims
Caroline added: “I am looking forward to my next visit, every time I go to the school I am made to feel so welcome by everyone, it’s always a pleasure to visit St Anthony’s.”
If your school would like to support Pilgrims Hospices and would like more information on the many ways you can do this please contact caroline.dixon@pilgrimshospices.org.
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 our Wellbeing Programme.
30th September 2019
Ramsgate firefighters support Pilgrims Colour Run
The Ramsgate firefighters are supporting this year’s 5K Colour Run in memory of their friend and work colleague Dave Halls, who was a watch manager for many years.
Brett Andrews, friend and work colleague said: “We want to give something back to Pilgrims Hospices in support of the wonderful palliative care Dave received this year. We feel this fun and colourful event is a perfect way to reflect Dave’s memory and raise funds and awareness for the charity that cared for him and his family.
This family-friendly 5K event is an explosion of colour fun
Karen Kenward, Pilgrims Hospices
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager and organiser of the event said: “This really is a fun event; with a Zumba warm-up, followed by an amazing colour blast prior to the start and even more colour as you run, walk or jog through colour stations along the coastal route. Everyone receives a colour sachet, white tee shirt and funky glasses on the day and a stunning Colour Run medal at the finish.
If you would like to join this event; waste no time and sign up today! You will have fun and laughter all the way and knowing that you will be helping provide care for the next person that needs us, will make this even more special.”
This family-friendly 5K event is an explosion of colour fun. Take in amazing coastal views as you run, walk or jog through clouds of brightly coloured powder paint around the route.
Standard entry price until 14 October, you can also sign up on the day, registration desks open at 9.30am.
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 our Wellbeing Programme.
