Shopping with heart: How Pilgrims Shops power hospice care
Every bargain, every bag donated, every volunteer shift – it all adds up to something extraordinary.
Across east Kent, Pilgrims Hospices’ 33 shops are more than stores; they’re vibrant community hubs where preloved treasures find new homes, people shop affordably, and every purchase helps to fund hospice care.
More than shops: They are welcoming spaces on the high street
Pilgrims Shops provide:
Affordable clothing and household essentials
Friendly, welcoming spaces on the high street
Opportunities to volunteer, learn new skills, and connect with others
Shopping second-hand also supports the planet by keeping items out of landfill, reducing demand for new products, and lowering CO₂ emissions all while raising income to support Pilgrims Hospices care services.
Ramsgate: Plans to expand into neighbouring units, offering more stock and space
Retail events making a difference
Special sales like Kilo, Media, Jumble, Table Top, and pop-up events bring new shoppers, create excitement, and raise more for hospice care – all in a fun, community-focused way.
Volunteer voices
“I started volunteering to give back, but I’ve gained so much. The team feels like family, and knowing our efforts help local hospice care makes every shift worthwhile.”
– Pilgrims shop volunteer
Be part of something special
Shop Find preloved fashion, furniture, books, and homeware.
DonateTurn unwanted items into someone else’s treasure.
Together, we’re turning everyday shopping into extraordinary care.
Ashford Discount shop
Pilgrims Retail by the numbers
By December 2025, our shops achieved remarkable results:
1,145,646 items sold
297,714 clothing items given a second life
172,065 household items rehomed
122,095 books passed on to new readers
61,208 toys enjoyed by families
10,095 furniture items sold with 1,723 deliveries
4,645 new Gift Aid donors
All made possible by 635 volunteers and 102 staff – every figure tells a story of generosity.
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 August 2023
Media Madness this August for Pilgrims charity shop in Ashford
The Media Madness event takes place at Pilgrims Hospices Shop in Ashford, from August 24th to 26th, 2023. The ‘all things media’ event, will cater for media enthusiasts, collectors, and those who love to seek out a pre-loved treasure, or just to make an impulse purchase.
With a wide range of media-related items, the event will showcase, vinyl records, CD’s, toys and collectables, including Star Wars figures, books by actors, celebrities and bands, TV annuals, memorabilia, musical instruments, puzzles, games and anything and everything in between. The long-established, charity shop, in Castle Street, (located near the WWI tank just off the High Street), will be covering everything from movie stars to pop stars and far beyond!
Sandra Wonnacott, Pilgrims Shop Manager said: “We really hope our media event will cater for a wide variety of interests, there are some really unusual items and great bargains for everyone to browse.
“We are ready to welcome our regular customers who know there are some wonderful bargains on our shelves, along with new visitors to the shop. We hope the Media Madness event will bring more visitors to the Ashford shop, which in turn, will raise even more important funds for essential hospice services.”
DSC 0012 Media Madness HP Web 2
If you’re interested in media-related items, pop culture, and supporting a good cause, this event will be a fantastic opportunity to indulge your interests, while making a positive impact on the lives of those in need. Enjoy the event and the chance to connect with fellow media enthusiasts while supporting your local Pilgrims Hospices charity. Be sure to mark your calendar for August 24-26!
We are ready to welcome everyone to our exciting event!
Sandra – Pilgrims
It will be a great opportunity to explore a diverse collection of media-related items, while contributing to a meaningful cause.
Sandra added: “Young or old, there are so many bargains to be had. Whether it’s a piece of artwork for your wall, a cuddly Disney toy, Harry Potter merchandise, or a CD to extend your collection. We will do our best to help you find it in our little shop bursting with goodies.”
Supporting a charitable cause while enjoying a fun and unique shopping experience is a great way to bring the community together.
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.
