Alexa raises £100s for Pilgrims Hospices with beautiful bracelets
8-year-old Alexa Bolger from Westgate-on-Sea was inspired to support Pilgrims Hospices after loved ones and family friends received the charity’s care.
In the school summer holidays, Alexa’s grandma, Betty (Gan Gan) gave her £10 pocket money, which she used to buy clay beads to make bracelets. Alexa set up a stall outside her house and sold the bracelets, raising £218 for Pilgrims in just five days, thanks to the kind support and donations of passersby.
Alexa also attended the Thanet 5k Colour Run in Palm Bay, Cliftonville on 6 October 2024, where she sold more bracelets and raised another £150. Laurel House Dentist in Margate are supporting Alexa to raise even more for Pilgrims by selling her bracelets in memory of their colleague, Sharron. In total, Alexa and her family have contributed £100 to purchase the beads, and to date, she has raised an incredible £573.90 for local hospice care.
Alexa at Thanet 5k Colour Run with her mum, Clare, and Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager
Alexa said: “I want to help people who are poorly and need Pilgrims care, so they can be a little bit happier in the time they have left. I hope my fundraising helps to buy medicine for them and the care they need.”
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager, added:
“Alexa came to see us in August 2024 with a donation of £218 from bracelet sales that she had made by asking family and friends for a small donation, to help raise awareness and support for our hospice services. Since then, she has taken the idea to her school and raised further funds, including supporting our Thanet 5k Colour Run and raising an additional £150 on the day! Today, her funding is sitting at £573.90.
“Alexa is a real superstar! Aged just 8 years old, and to be so very committed to our charity’s cause, is so wonderful to see. We at Pilgrims, her mum Clare, and her family and friends, are so very proud of her commitment. Thank you so very much, Alexa, you really bring a smile to my face every time I see you.”
Alexa shared this update about her fundraising in April 2025:
If you’ve been inspired by Alexa and would like to fundraise for Pilgrims in the Thanet area, we’d love to hear your story. Please contact Karen Kenward:
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices care for thousands of people across east Kent, with services provided from its three hospice sites in Ashford, Canterbury, and Thanet, as well as in patients’ own homes. It costs over £17.2 million annually to run these services, much of which comes from the generous support of the local community.
18th July 2024
Get ready to glow at Thanet’s 8th annual 5k Colour Run!
Prepare for a burst of colour and excitement on Sunday October 6, as Pilgrims Hospices hosts the Thanet 5k Colour Run at Palm Bay Green, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 3NR.
This family-friendly 5k event promises to be an explosion of vibrant fun, where participants of all ages can enjoy an invigorating run or walk while being showered with brightly coloured powder.
Set against the stunning backdrop of Thanet’s spectacular seafront, this is an event you won’t want to miss!
Since its inception, the Thanet 5k Colour Run has united friends, families, and the community in a joyous celebration of life, colour, and giving. Now in its 8th successful year, the event has welcomed over 3,000 participants and raised more than £225,000 for Pilgrims Hospices’ end-of-life care. Every step taken and every splash of colour helps support people in east Kent facing life-limiting illnesses.
The Thanet 5k Colour Run is not just a run; it’s a vibrant festival of fun and camaraderie. Picture this: Hundreds of participants all dressed in their white t-shirts, ready to be transformed into a moving rainbow as they navigate the picturesque coastal route. As you make your way through the 5k, you’ll be greeted with breathtaking coastal views and enveloped in clouds of coloured powder, creating unforgettable memories and picture-perfect moments.
“We’re back to sustainably brighten the coast!” says Pilgrims Hospices. “The Thanet 5k Colour Run is a fantastic way to enjoy a day out with loved ones while supporting a meaningful cause. The funds raised play a crucial role in allowing us to continue providing compassionate care to those who need it most.”
Whether you prefer to run, jog, or walk, the Thanet 5k Colour Run welcomes participants of all fitness levels. It’s a day of high-energy entertainment, laughter, and plenty of colour, making it the perfect way to spend a Sunday. Feel the electric atmosphere as you join hundreds of others, all united by the common goal of supporting Pilgrims Hospices.
Karen Kenward, Pilgrims Hospices’ Community Fundraising Manager and event organiser, said: “I’m so proud of the supporters who have made this event such an amazing success over the past eight years. We have collectively travelled over 8,700 miles together. It’s a staggering achievement, and the money raised is making an incredible difference to the lives of those who need Pilgrims care right now, and to those who will need our support in the future as well.”
Getting involved is easy!
Gather your friends and family, and register now to be part of this incredible event. To find out more about the Thanet 5k Colour Run, visit pilgrimshospices.org/colourrun. On the day, you will be presented with a brilliant white t-shirt, a coloured powder sachet, and fun protective specs – then let the fun begin!
New for this year’s event, participants will receive an environmentally friendly wristband containing wildflower seeds. Take it home, plant it in your garden, and wait for another splash of colour that will remind you of the super fun day that you had supporting Pilgrims Hospices. And don’t forget your fabulous finishing medal to celebrate your wonderful achievement!
Don’t miss out on this spectacular event that blends fitness, fun, and philanthropy in a truly unique way. Let’s come together to celebrate, run, and support a worthy cause.
See you at Palm Bay Green on October 6 — ready, set, colour!
For more information, please contact Karen Kenward, Pilgrims Hospices Community Fundraising Manager:
Pilgrims Hospices is dedicated to providing high-quality care and support to people with life-limiting illnesses across east Kent. Our compassionate team works tirelessly to ensure patients and their families receive the best possible care, both in our hospices and within the community.
10th October 2023
Funtastic Colour Run fundraiser for Pilgrims Hospices
Was a funtastic success for Pilgrims Hospices as the Thanet 5K Colour Run took centre stage at Palm Bay, Cliftonville, Margate on Sunday, October 1st, 2023. With over 400 Pilgrims Hospices supporters participating and raising an impressive £200k plus in the seven years the event has taken place for hospice end-of-life care in east Kent, it’s clear that the event made a significant impact.
Karen Kenward, Pilgrims Hospices, Community Fundraising Manager, and the entire team deserve commendation for their hard work and dedication in organising such a successful event. It’s heart-warming to see the community coming together on a spectacular day in Cliftonville.
It was exciting to see families and friends coming together to enjoy a super fun day while also supporting a local charity. The fact that the weather was spectacular only added to the joy and vibrancy of the occasion.
A brilliant way to kick off the Colour Run event was with fitness expert Jennie who did a fun warm-up for all. The dynamic and energetic warm-up session was full of fun dance moves, and prepared everyone for the colourful and exciting spectacle ahead. With cool dance music playing, participants were encouraged to move, stretch, and get their hearts pumping, creating a lively atmosphere.
Karen said: “The money raised today will undoubtedly go a long way in providing crucial support and care for those in need in the community. The Thanet 5K Colour Run is not only a fantastic way to raise money but also a beautiful example of how communities can unite for a great cause. A huge ‘High Five’ to everyone who supported us on the day, and here’s to many more successful events in the future!”
Karen added: “I would like to take the opportunity to say a huge thank you to our sponsors – Thanet Earth, Stagecoach, Copyshop and Mini Stores in Deal. Also, thank you for the support of Margate Ambulance, Academy Radio, Isle of Thanet, Frank Leppard for his incredible photos, Charles our DJ, and Kerry on the drone, and lastly to the Pilgrims staff and volunteers who help me to make this event so special. I think I can truly say we’ve all had a real colour blast of a day today and we couldn’t run the event without everyone’s wonderful support, thank you all once again!”
A huge ‘High Five’ to everyone who supported us on the day, and here’s to many more successful events in the future!”
Other promos for future events.
Look out for our Christmas Tree Recycling event in the new year 5th – 8th January 2024 and please do follow us on our Pilgrims Hospice Thanet Fundraising for all our events, including the smaller evenings out!
Each year Pilgrims’ gives care to thousands of people across east Kent. 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 approximately £11 million each year from the generous local community.
20th September 2023
Get ready to splash into fun and make a difference at the Thanet 5k Colour Run 2023!
Dust off your running shoes and prepare to be drenched in a riot of colours at the Thanet 5k Colour Run, happening on October 1st, at Palm Bay Green, Cliftonville, Margate. This vibrant event promises an unforgettable day of fun, fitness, and fundraising, all in support of a great cause – Pilgrims Hospices.
It’s back and offering an exhilarating experience for participants of all ages. Whether you’re a serious athlete or just looking for a unique way to have fun, this event has something for everyone, a colourful 5k run or walk suitable for all fitness levels.
Participants can kick off the fun with a musical warm-up before embarking on a 5k route with colour stations, where they will be showered with safe and vibrant coloured powders. It’s a visual spectacle like no other, transforming ordinary runners into living works of art! Don’t worry; these colours are non-toxic, eco-friendly, and safe for all.
Bethesda Medical Centre, Palm Bay, Margate has entered their team of 19 colour fun runners including staff, family, along with three of their doctors taking part on the day too!
Caroll, Bethesda Practice Finance Manager told us: “This is the first time we as a Surgery have taken part in a Colour Run, one of the staff spotted the event promotion, and we’ve signed up to get involved. Although I’m unable to take part on this occasion, I know the team are really looking forward to it! Our Practice Manager, myself and 2 other staff members took part in the Pilgrims Folkestone Downs Challenge recently and raised over £200 in sponsorship. As a Surgery, we are always keen to support our local hospice when we can.”
Caroll added: “On a personal note, my father passed away in May this year, after a short illness, and I cannot thank Pilgrims Hospices enough for the care that he received, as well as the help and support that myself and my mum received. At my dad’s funeral we asked for donations to Pilgrims rather than flowers, and we raised just short of £500; mum received a lovely thank you letter for this from Pilgrims.”
The Thanet Colour Run isn’t just about fun; it’s also about making a meaningful impact on our community. All proceeds from this event will go towards supporting Pilgrims Hospices care, a charity dedicated to providing vital care and support to individuals and their families facing life-limiting illnesses. Your participation directly contributes to improving the lives of those in need.
Share your colourful journey using #thanetcolourrun
Karen – Pilgrims
Event organiser Karen Kenward, Pilgrims Community Fundraising Manager said: “Our goal is to bring our community together for a day of fun while supporting a vital cause. We want participants to not only enjoy themselves, but also feel proud of contributing to Pilgrims Hospices care.”
So, mark your calendars for October 1st, 2023, and get ready to run, laugh, and make a difference at the Thanet 5k Colour Run! Follow us on social media at FBK @pilgrimshospices Insta @pilgrimshospices, for updates and share your colourful journey using #thanetcolourrun.
Your support means everything to the people we care for. Around 75% of our funding comes from the generous community. With your help we can continue to offer quality end-of-life care and our full range of wellbeing activities. Thank you.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to thousands of people in east Kent who are coming to terms with an illness that sadly cannot be cured. The charity support patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
8th August 2023
We’re back to colour the coast!
Pilgrims Hospices, Thanet Colour Run, returns on Sunday 1st October to Palm Bay Green, Margate. This family-friendly 5k event is an explosion of colourful fun. Take in amazing coastal views as you run and walk through clouds of brightly coloured powder around the route. So far, some £200,000 has been raised through the event since it launched in 2016.
Gather friends and family to join the energetic atmosphere of people running, jogging and walking along Thanet’s spectacular seafront. We anticipate more than 1,000 participants including runners, joggers and walkers joining us on the day. All are welcome to support Pilgrims.
Entry – before 25th September 2023
Ages 12 and over – £24 – Ages 11 and under £15
On the day entry (if still available)
Ages 12 and over – £28 – Ages 11 and under – £15
What happens on the day?
9am – 11am: Registration will be open
11.30am – 1.30pm: Thanet 5k Colour Run takes place
Entry includes a white t-shirt, paint sachet, funky sunglasses and finisher’s medal. We encourage you to consider the environment and bring your own plain white t-shirt to wear on the day. We provide the white t-shirts for event safety and colour protection, but if you can recycle an old one, then that is appreciated.
This year, our participant wristbands are also environmentally friendly! Each wristband is bio-degradable and contains wild flower seeds within the band, meaning you can take it home and plant it in your garden!
Catering will be available for purchase on site.
Location – Thanet, Palm Bay Green, Palm Bay Avenue, Cliftonville, Margate, CT9 3NR.
If you would like to speak to Pilgrims’ about this event, please contact Karen Kenward Email: [email protected] or call her on 01843 233 934
By taking part in the Thanet 5k Colour Run, you’ll be helping Pilgrim Hospices to continue caring for people right across east Kent who are facing a life-limiting illness.
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.
5th October 2022
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.
