Local athlete Yiannis Christodoulou pledges support for hospice care
Yiannis Christodoulou is European and National Aquathlon Champion 2019 and team captain representing Great Britain. Living in Canterbury and working in Ashford, Yiannis has always been aware of the important work of Pilgrims Hospices in his local community.
As a keen athlete, Yiannis enjoys taking part in events in his local area. In August 2019 he went to watch friends at the Canterbury Half Marathon, an annual event that has raised over £57,000 for the much-loved local hospices. Whilst there, Yiannis visited the Pilgrims information stand and picked up a 2019 event brochure. After looking through the variety of events they host, he felt inspired and contacted the charity expressing a desire to get involved supporting in any way that he could.
Yiannis was invited to meet with Cate Russell, Pilgrims Hospices Chief Executive, to discuss the role he could play for the charity.
He will soon be working with Pilgrims as a volunteer ambassador; his role will be to help Pilgrims open up conversations and support the community to think and plan for the future, bringing about societal change.
Since taking up running in 2012, Yiannis has never looked back; he’s always looking for new and exciting ways to get involved with local running events. When looking through the Pilgrims event brochure he saw Santas on the Run! Tri-Series, the perfect combination of festive celebrations, fun and a challenge; he had to get involved.
Pilgrims has been holding Santas on the Run! in Herne Bay for the past two years. The family-friendly festive fun run of 3k and 5k has been incredibly popular with the community with over £65,000 raised for local hospice care. This year, Pilgrims is excited to announce that Santas on the Run! will also be coming to Folkestone and Margate. The three festive fun runs will be taking place on consecutive weekends in December so that our Santas can challenge themselves to all three and join our tri-series in the countdown to Christmas. Yiannis is really looking forward to getting involved with the Santas on the Run! Tri-Series and will be taking part in Santas on the Bay! in Herne Bay on Sunday 1 December 2019.
Yiannis said: “This is a nice friendly run for fun, for a great cause. You never know where one run can take you.”
If you want to join Yiannis at Santas on the Run! and take part in the jolliest jog of the year, sign up now atwww.pilgrimshospices.org/santa.
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 programme supporting people after they are diagnosed to live well and stay independent.
21st November 2019
Jingle Belles all the way for Pilgrims Hospices Christmas fundraising
Long-time friends Tash, Trudi, Shirilee, Kathy, Nikki, Jac and Sue will be taking part in the Santas on the Run! fun fundraiser in Herne Bay on Sunday 1 December this year. They are raising funds in memory of their dear friend Jacqi Woolf who was a strong supporter of the hospices and the Santas on the Run! event. Jacqi lost her fight against cancer in September 2019; the girls have named their running team ‘Jacqi’s Jingle Belles’.
The girls’ friendship grew when they met at Nikki’s yoga classes in Herons Leisure Centre in Herne Bay. The group quickly become good friends and would attend yoga workshops and retreats spending much time having fun and enjoying plenty of laughter.
Our close friend Jacqi was a dedicated supporter of Pilgrims Hospices.
Kathy Walsh
Kathy Walsh from Jacqi’s Jingle Belles told us: “We are taking part in Santas on the Run! on the Herne Bay seafront to raise much needed funds for Pilgrims Hospices this Christmas.
“Our close friend Jacqi was a dedicated supporter of Pilgrims Hospices taking part in numerous cycling, running and swimming challenges, including a Channel relay swim to raise funds for the charity.
“Jacqi took part in Santas on the Run! last year and pushed her dad in his wonderful Santa sleigh, much to the delight of those taking part and spectators.
“We were truly fortunate to call her our friend and her zest for life showed everyone how life should be lived; with 100% participation and enthusiasm to embrace new challenges.
“Always with a smile and preferably with cake (or chocolate)!”
Lydia Todd, Pilgrims Challenge Events Fundraiser said: “The girls have a truly heart-warming story and a desire to continue supporting our charity after Jacqi received care here at Pilgrims.
“We hope by sharing their story we can encourage even more supporters to register for this brilliant family fundraiser: www.pilgrimshospices.org/santas.
Being part of the fun will be making a difference to the care offered by our dedicated team of doctors and nurses in the hospices and within the community and people homes.”
If you would like to help the Belles raise cash for Pilgrims Hospices who made Jacqi’s last two weeks comfortable please donate to their JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/team/jacqisjinglebelles.
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 visit www.pilgrimshospices.org/wellbeing to read about Pilgrims Wellbeing Programme at the Pilgrims Therapy Centres.
19th November 2019
Santas on the Run! will raise £1000’s for specialist Pilgrims care
Paul Johnson from Ashford will be taking a festive dash along the Folkestone seafront on Sunday 8 December, when he joins hundreds of others in Pilgrims Hospices Santas on the Run! Christmas 5K or 3K fun run. The Harbour Arm will be a sea of festive fun-loving Santas, young and old, all raising valuable funds for local hospice care.
Paul in his running kit
Environmental Consultant, Paul, told us: “My dad Les was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago. He benefits greatly from the amazing services provided by Pilgrims Hospices, especially their Wellbeing Centrein Ashford where he has physiotherapy and receives emotional support.
“I joined a local running club, Beginners2Runners in April this year following a difficult time; the club is brilliant and helped make a positive impact on me. The running has really made a big difference to my quality of life.
“I decided to channel my energies into raising money for Pilgrims as a way of making a difference for those who need palliative care, and their families.”
If you would like to support Paul please visit his JustGivingpage and donate.
“Thank you to everyone who is supporting me, you are all helping to make a difference to end-of-life care in our area.” Paul added.
Lydia Todd, Pilgrims Challenge Events Officer said: “Thank you Paul for sharing your story, it’s wonderful that you are supporting us and helping to spread the word about our festive fun run.
“Good luck on the day, I’m sure you will enjoy every minute of the fabulous festive spectacle.”
Thank you to everyone who is supporting me, you are all helping to make a difference.
Your entry fee covers a Santa suit, a fabulous medal and, the feel-good factor that you are truly helping to make a difference.
Just by raising a little sponsorship you could help to pay for a patient to enjoy a mince pie and custard on the run up to Christmas, a festive dinner or physiotherapy sessions to help patients stay active and enjoy games with their family on Christmas Day.
See you there Santas!
Pilgrims Hospices is a charity providing palliative care free of charge to people in east Kent, and therefore relies on charitable donations.
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 visit www.pilgrimshospices.org/wellbeing for information on the Wellbeing Programme.
5th December 2018
Santas in trainers at Herne Bay
Herne Bay’s coastline was filled with Christmas cheer and the sound of more than 1,100 pairs of Santa feet on Sunday, as fancy dressed fundraisers took part in the festive fun run for Pilgrims Hospices.
Adults of all ages, children and festively dressed furry four-legged friends raced, jogged and walked along the town’s seafront for Santas on the Run!
Stuart and Jackie Moorhouse with Scruffy
Goodman family running as part of the Wahl team
Young Santas on the run
Mireya, Tasha and Addi Cope from Reculver
So far this year the event has raised over £30,500, which is set to rise even further as more sponsorship comes in daily for the much-loved hospice charity. With over £12,000 being raised through sponsorship from generous friends and family.
Crowds of spectators watched as the hoards of white-bearded participants gathered for the start at the town’s clock tower, ready to cheer them along for their 5k or 3k dash beside the sea.
This event is a feel-good day out for all of the family to start off their festive season.
Lydia, Pilgrims
Lydia Todd, Community Fundraising Officer for Pilgrims Hospices, said: “This was our second Santas on the Run! The day was an absolute success and we’re over the moon with how it went.
“It was fantastic to see so many Santas taking part on the seafront in aid of local hospice care; 200 more than last year; supporters have spread the word and love for our event.
“We are already receiving some amazing feedback from our supporters. This event is a feel-good day out for all of the family to start off their festive season and I hope it becomes a tradition for many families.
“The hospice would like to say a heartfelt thank you to the headline sponsors, Wahl UK, who also entered over 30 Santas for the event. Sponsors Active Business Group who entered a team of dressed up dogs and other business supporters Jenner Construction Ltd., Makcari’s Coffee Shop, Herne Bay Rotary Club and all of the marshals and volunteers who gave up their Sunday to help on a safe run!”
This care continues 24/7 throughout the Christmas period so, as Lydia aims, the funds raised by the sporty Santas will help provide vital care:
“Every £20 raised by this event could pay for an hour of nursing care for a patient on our wards, within Pilgrims’ Therapy Centres or at home. A huge thank you and Merry Christmas, we really could not do it without your help!”
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.
