Colour Run returns in Thanet for Pilgrims Hospices
The Pilgrims Hospices 5k Colour Run returned to Thanet with a blast of colour on Sunday 2 October 2022.
Over 600 adults and children attended, complete with colourful glasses and white t-shirts, all ready to run and walk through the clouds of vibrant and multi-coloured powders.
Liam Dunne (15, Margate), first over the finish line, with Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager
Those taking part warmed up with a fun warm-up with Bex from Dance 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 Palm Bay, Clintonville, Margate. The atmosphere was filled with the sound of laughter and colour as everyone set off along the coastal route down towards Margate.
Karen said: “It was so lovely to see many attend, with lots of familiar faces and spectators for the sixth year of this Thanet Colour Run, which has raised £192,548 to date in support of Pilgrims Hospices, with more sponsorship still to come in, thank you all so very much. This really is such a colourful and fun event which needs to be seen, plus an incredible way to raise much-needed funds to support palliative care for the next person who needs us. It was just wonderful to welcome back our supporters again this year and to see the enjoyment it brings to all those who attend and help support the event on the day.”
“A huge Pilgrims thank you to all who helped in supporting the event, including sponsors Stagecoach, Copy Shop, Mini Stores in Deal, our wonderful volunteers and staff who helped make the event possible and most importantly, each and every one of you for taking part on the day.”
Thanet doctors: Dr Gauri Jha (Westgate Surgery), Dr Rakhi Misra (Northdown Surgery), Dr Radhika Marigam (Minster Surgery), Dr Sujata Kumar (Minster Surgery) and Sneha Kumar
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to thousands of 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.
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.
26th July 2022
Bus driver on the run for fun!
Garry Warren, (53) from Garlinge in Margate is a super fundraiser with a number of ½ marathon and marathon medals in his collection, including the world-famous London Marathon; he’s raised £1,000s for local charities over the years.
Emma and Garry
Garry and his youngest daughter Emma will be supporting his much-loved charity, Pilgrims Hospices with a change of pace when they take part in this year’s Thanet 5k Colour Run in October to raise important funds for hospice care.
Bus driver Garry, has colleagues from Stagecoach Westwood Cross Bus Garage taking on this fun event too. Garry said: “I’ve been a bus driver for 27 years, and my colleagues and fellow bus drivers have always been generous with their donations and support, I’d like to thank them, their help has been a huge part of my fundraising achievements over the years. I’d especially like to thank my great friend and colleague Dave Irving, who does so much to help me with my fundraising.
“I understand how important Pilgrims Hospices care is within the community, some of my colleagues have received care from the hospice. After receiving a cancer diagnosis, Pilgrims helped to manage their pain and provided support at the end of their lives.”
Originally from South London, family man Garry who has two daughters, Emma (13) and Katie (23), moved to Margate 12 years ago and said: “I definitely made the right move, my family and I love our local life. People are so friendly and we’ve settled and enjoy life away from the hustle and bustle of London.
“I’ve always been a keen runner ever since I was a teenager, and over the years, I’ve raised around £10,000 for local charities including Pilgrims Hospices. My generous friends and colleagues have supported my fundraising and I try to find some interesting and quirky ways to gain their support. Sometimes, if I’m planning to run with a friend, I will ask them to guess the gap between our finishing times, this usually achieves some laughs and keeps us going right through to the end of the run.
“My daughter Emma and me will be taking on all the fun of the Thanet 5k Colour Run and we hope to get well and truly colour splashed on our way around the route. I also have some Stagecoach colleagues who are taking part too.”
Why not join Garry and Emma and have the best Colour Run fun on Sunday 2 October? You can walk, jog or run the event, it’s all about the fun of taking part. As part of your registration fee, you will receive a white T-shirt, paint sachet and fun protective specs, the rest is up to you to go and have fun!
After checking in on the day, the event gets started with some fun warm-up music and then an amazing colour blast to start those taking part on their colour journey.
Early Bird entry is available until Sunday 31 July 2022 and standard entry closes on Monday 26 September 2022, so sign up soon to save some pennies!
See you there!
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.
6th June 2022
Popular Thanet 5k Colour Run returns to Margate
With an explosion of colour, the family-friendly 5k colourful Colour Run event comes to Palm Bay Green, Cliftonville, Margate later this year.
Each year, this popular event brings fun and laughter to fundraising for Pilgrims Hospices, and awareness of how important it is to support the local charity in its continued end-of-life care within the community.
So far, over £178,000 has been raised since it was established in 2016; this year, Pilgrims would love to achieve the magical £200,000 with your help.
Karen Kenward, Pilgrims Community Fundraising Manager said: “We absolutely love this event, watching participants having so much fun while raising important funds for us, it’s just so uplifting.
“We have a wide variety of people who take part, so don’t be put off if you are not a runner, come and jog, walk or dance your way along our clifftop route. We just want you to have the best time, while knowing you are doing something really special for people who need our help the most.
“Some of our regular Colour Run participants are already registered, so please do come and join them, you can get the best price for entering if you register early. Help us to achieve our goal of 1,000 participants.”
Everyone who registers will get a white t-shirt to blast some colour on, some funky sunglasses and a paint sachet to start the experience with a colour explosion. The colour stations along the route will fill the air with clouds of brightly coloured powder, you will most certainly be multi-coloured when you return to receive a finisher’s medal.
Karen added: “The event takes place on Sunday 2 October but please register early and take advantage of our early bird entry. Ages 12 and over – £18, ages 11 and under – £12.Your registration fee and any fundraising you do will be making a huge difference for the people of east Kent who need our support now and into the future.”
Care is provided from three hospice sites in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet 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.
30th May 2022
Pilgrims Hospices’ Wellbeing team help patients celebrate Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Time to Create sessions at Pilgrims Hospices, run by the Wellbeing team, offer patients an opportunity to express themselves through arts and crafts activities in a group setting. This can help with the physical, emotional and spiritual challenges they may face after a diagnosis and referral to hospice care.
The team at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet has been busy getting ready to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Patients have designed custom pieces of art using the Queen’s famous silhouette as inspiration; drawing on different artistic techniques and styles, the team curated a unique collection to display in the Therapy Centre at the Thanet hospice.
Janis, a patient, shared what she has enjoyed about the project:
“The Queen has been a constant and stabilising presence for the country through so much adversity. It has been fun painting her.”
A Time to Create session at the Pilgrims Hospice Thanet Therapy Centre
Billy Williams, Wellbeing Practitioner, said:
“Working on such an iconic and world-famous image has been so much fun. Celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee is something that brings the whole country together; everyone at the hospice has been admiring the finished pieces, which we’ve displayed throughout the Therapy Centre.
“Time to Create sessions are a great way for patients to improve their overall wellbeing, meet people going through similar experiences and unwind in a calm and friendly environment. The group has really enjoyed working on these pieces; patients have experienced reduced anxiety and stress, and been able to focus on something positive.”
The feedback from patients is overwhelmingly positive, too:
“I was introduced to Billy and Time to Create after attending a breathlessness management group. I had no idea the hospice offered a wide range of Wellbeing activities. Time to Create is a wonderful way to spend a few hours every Thursday afternoon. I can completely switch off and enjoy the company of the group. It’s been fabulous.”
– Angela
“This is my first time at Time to Create and I have found it friendly and relaxing. I have really enjoyed it.”
– Donna
“Great company and great fun! I come to Time to Create to do many different arts and crafts, completely out of my comfort zone but so enjoyable.”
– Janis
“We all enjoy Time to Create, such fun and super company.”
– Henry
Wellbeing at Pilgrims is an essential part of the holistic care provided by the charity; mental health and wellbeing are vital in helping patients to live well, cultivate a positive mental attitude and develop a sense of purpose.
Pilgrims’ Wellbeing team offer a variety of both patient and carer-focused support, including art-based therapeutic activities like Time to Create and walking groups for carers. They work alongside the wider therapies team to ensure a holistic and person-centred approach is taken when supporting patients, carers and families.
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.
11th May 2022
Nurse Shayla shares what she loves about working for Pilgrims Hospices
Helping to improve someone’s quality of life, at a point when it’s most precious, can lead to great job satisfaction.
Shayla Raine, from Margate is a Pilgrims’ Palliative Specialist Nurse (PSN) at the Thanet hospice in Margate. She joined the team recently from a district nurse background. Shayla shares how she became interested in end-of-life care and what she loves about her role.
Shayla said: “I thought I knew end-of-life care well, it’s only being here at Pilgrims Hospices, that I realised that there is so much more to know and learn, so much more that families need support-wise and so much more time that is needed with the patient and relatives to enable a peaceful end.”
Palliative care nurses provide care that helps patients maintain physical, mental, and emotional health. They take the time to understand the needs of each patient in order to provide a customised treatment plan that provides lasting relief.
Shayla, who is originally from Suffolk, moved to Kent as a young girl and told us:
“Nursing was never something I thought of doing as I grew up, I sort of, fell into the job. I was a cleaner at QEQM hospital for about two years; loved what I was seeing and wanted to be a healthcare assistant. Whilst cleaning the ward one day, a visitor said ‘come and work for me’. When I asked what she meant, she informed me she was a nursing home manager. I said I wanted to be a carer not a cleaner anymore and I was offered an interview there and then.
“I worked for the nursing home for about two years, made my way to a senior position and often helped the trained nurses with their duties. One day, one of the nurses asked why I hadn’t done my nursing training? I never thought I would be able to, the manager arranged for me to complete my access level three course and helped me apply for nursing. I managed the course over four months and started my nurse training very quickly. Thirteen years on, I have never looked back.”
Shayla on her motorbike
Kate White, Head of Nursing, says: “It is a pleasure to welcome Shayla to our community nursing team in Thanet. She joins a team of experts providing high quality service to the people of east Kent and I am sure will be a great asset with her wealth of experience.”
Shayla added: “I have always been a community nurse since qualifying in 2010, became team lead in 2015 and completed my District Nurse degree in 2018-2019.
“I became an end-of-life champion for the community nurses and really loved the EOL/palliative side of my role. When I decided it was time to change my pathway, I saw the job advertised for the palliative specialist role and jumped at the chance.
“The team at Thanet are amazing, I have never felt so supported.”
Shayla explained: “It’s really important to look after your own wellbeing, and when I’m not working, I enjoy riding my motorbike, reading, and watch a lot of comedy to relax. I have lots of reptiles too, so I am always pre-occupied looking after someone or something!”
If you’re interested in a nursing or care career at Pilgrims, we’d love to hear from you.
Check out our current vacancies for more information and apply today:
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.
