Pilgrims Hospices’ Christmas Tree Recycling campaign raises record-breaking £78,465 for end-of-life care
Pilgrims Hospices is delighted to announce the success of its recent Christmas Tree Recycling campaign, which took place over the weekend of January 10-12, 2025.
The environmentally-friendly initiative saw more than 4,200 real Christmas trees collected from residents across Canterbury, Ashford, and Thanet, as well as from those who dropped off their trees at Faversham’s Macknade Food Hall.
This year’s campaign was a record-breaker, raising an incredible £78,465 to support the charity’s vital end-of-life care services.
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The annual campaign has become a cherished tradition within the local community, combining environmental responsibility with charitable giving. Residents registered their real Christmas trees for collection in exchange for a donation, and a dedicated team of Pilgrims’ staff and volunteers ensured the trees were collected and recycled responsibly. The chippings from the recycled trees are used for composting and soil improvement, contributing to local agricultural efforts and within the hospices’ own grounds.
Kate Duddell, Head of Fundraising at Pilgrims Hospices, expressed her gratitude: “We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support from the east Kent community. Collecting over 4,200 trees and raising £78,465 is a testament to the generosity of our supporters and the hard work of our dedicated volunteers. These funds are crucial in helping us provide compassionate end-of-life care to those who need it most.”
The success of this campaign would not have been possible without the support and collaboration of local councils, businesses, tree chippers, and an army of volunteers who donated their time, vehicles, and expertise to ensure the thousands of Christmas trees were chipped and recycled.
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“Our thanks also go to our campaign partners; Kent County Council and all the staff at the Ashford Recycling Centre. A very special thanks goes to Ashford Borough Council for their years of dedicated support, along with Canterbury City Council and Thanet District Council. We are also grateful to the many businesses and organisations that supported the event by donating vans, crews, and time to help us with this initiative.”
They include:
Kent County Council
Ashford Borough Council
Canterbury City Council
Thanet District Council
Macknade
Pneuma Church
A Bird Tree Surgery
AW Construction
Bourne to Garden
Bruks Tree Surgery
Countrystyle
CS Heating and Plumbing
Earle’s Landscapes
Endeavourcom
D Parr Tree Surgeons
Dave Lowe
David Glew & Sons Garden Maintenance
Furley Page Solicitors
Givaudan
Goodwins Hot Tubs
Injection Development
Jenner
Kenhire
Langham Kitchens
Lenleys
LS Marketing
Let’s Clean For You
MW Cave Ltd
New Perspective Digital
NRS Healthcare
Old Dairy Taproom
Practical Van Hire
PSR Lighting
Royal Mail
Select Plant Hire
Shadoxhurst Village Hall
Speech4Kids
Streetspace
St Lawrence College, Ramsgate
TJC Renewables
Vegas Kitchens
Waitrose
Walker Construction
WW Martin
Pilgrims Hospices provide care and comfort to over 2,500 people in east Kent each year, supporting patients with incurable illnesses to live well until the end of life. Fundraising initiatives like the Christmas Tree Recycling campaign are essential to sustaining these services, ensuring that care remains free of charge for those who need it.
Make a donation; all donations, big or small, make a huge difference
Volunteer your time; volunteers play a crucial role in helping keep the hospice caring
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 December 2024
Step into Wonderland this Christmas at Pilgrims Hospices Westgate-on-Sea shop!
Pilgrims Hospices’ Westgate shop is bringing festive cheer to the high street with its stunning Alice in Wonderland-themed window display, designed by Manager Vanessa Turner and her talented team of staff, volunteers, friends, and family.
The whimsical scene is captivating the hearts of passers-by, encouraging them to step inside and discover the magic of sustainable shopping.
Vanessa, who has a passion for creating eye-catching displays, said: “I think the window displays are one of my favourite things to do! I’m always on the lookout for creative ideas, and when we’re so generously donated items that spark inspiration, it’s so much fun to bring it all together. These displays don’t just brighten the street; they encourage people to pop in, have a browse, and often make a purchase, supporting the vital work of Pilgrims Hospices.”
The Alice in Wonderland theme, with its quirky characters and enchanting story, reminds us of the wonder in the everyday – much like the surprises you can find when exploring the shop’s diverse collection of pre-loved clothing, accessories, and household items. Every purchase contributes to Pilgrims Hospices’ mission to provide compassionate end-of-life care for those in need across east Kent.
As awareness of sustainable fashion and eco-friendly shopping grows, Vanessa notes that customers are increasingly mindful of the choices they make:
“People are far more savvy about how they shop now, with many considering the environment and looking for greener options. We’re proud to offer a wide range of quality items that encourage thoughtful purchasing and reduce waste.”
The Westgate-on-Sea shop team
The shop is a hub of community spirit, with a strong local vibe that sees supporters regularly donating and shopping, helping to sustain Pilgrims Hospices’ essential services. By shopping here, you’re not just nabbing a bargain or a unique piece – you’re making a real difference in the lives of families facing terminal illness.
So why not follow the White Rabbit and explore this fantastical display for yourself? You’ll find treasures galore, festive cheer, and the chance to support an incredible cause.
Follow our Westgate shop on social media for the latest news and updates:
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.
17th December 2024
Bringing Christmas cheer to Pilgrims Hospices: Penny’s heart-warming tradition
Pilgrims Hospices is once again preparing for a festive transformation, thanks to the dedication of Penny Cattermole, one of our valued healthcare assistants.
For several years, Penny has made it her mission to bring the joy and spirit of the holiday season to the hospice wards, creating a magical winter wonderland for patients, staff, and visitors alike.
Penny’s efforts go beyond simply putting up decorations. Throughout the year, she scours boot sales and local markets, on the lookout for unique and beautiful Christmas ornaments to add to her collection. “I love a good bargain,” Penny says, “but more than that, I love seeing the delight on everyone’s faces when the decorations go up.”
Every year, Penny donates her time coming into the Thanet hospice on her days off to transform the wards and corridors of the hospice. Her contributions include four elegant white Christmas trees, which she has generously gifted over the past few years. These trees, adorned with twinkling lights and festive ornaments, are the centrepiece of her winter wonderland. Penny’s dedication isn’t limited to Christmas; she also decorates the ward for Easter, adding touches of spring with her collection of seasonal decorations.
“I don’t do it for the praise,” she shares. “I do it because it brings happiness and cheerfulness to the ward. The staff work incredibly hard, and I hope my efforts bring a bit of joy to their day.”
This year, however, Penny will not be decorating her own home for Christmas. With a mischievous 8-month-old Maine Coon kitten, Leo, at home, she knows the festive setup would be at risk of being toppled over in moments! Instead, she’s focusing all her energy on making the hospice a warm and inviting place for everyone.
Penny has been a valued member of the Pilgrims care team for 14 years; she has followed a career in care throughout her working life. Many of the care team will be on duty on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. They will have already made arrangements to spend their special festive times with their families and friends on alternative days.
Jon May, Pilgrims Hospices Service Manager at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet, said, “Penny is just full of community spirit; it’s just wonderful to see Penny’s beautiful decorations and experience the festive atmosphere she creates. Her dedication exemplifies the spirit of our team of staff and volunteers, who bring comfort, joy, and a sense of normality to the hospice environment.”
Pilgrims Hospices wishes everyone a warm and caring Christmas.
Thank you for supporting our services in your area.
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.
7th December 2024
The Wooden Box Café, Ramsgate offers grief support to local community
Dawn Baldwin from Ramsgate runs The Wooden Box Café, where she hosts a weekly bereavement support group and various fundraising activities for Pilgrims Hospices.
She supports the local charity in memory of her dad, John Humphrys, who received Pilgrims care in 2022.
John was a family man, doting on Dawn and her sister, Claire, and his six grandchildren. He spent 35 years working as a Technical Administrator at Hornby Hobbies in Margate, and before that he was a disc jockey known as DJ Ferret. He was still working full-time at Hornby Hobbies when he was referred to Pilgrims, aged 71, for symptom control of his cancer.
Dawn said: “Although Dad was only in the hospice for a short time, the care was beautiful. We also said a big thank you to Hornby Hobbies after he passed, as they were so supportive as an employer.”
John with his colleagues at Hornby Hobbies, his daughters Dawn and Claire, and his grandchildren Charlie, Lacey and Lillie
The Wooden Box Café was established in Ramsgate but went up for sale, and Dawn began running it in February 2024: “I’d always wanted to have my own cafe, so when I found out I had some inheritance money, I started looking. A good friend told me about The Wooden Box; I’d not heard of it before, even though Dad had only lived round the corner! I thought, “Well, I’ve got this opportunity because my dad’s in a wooden box.” so I took it; I didn’t find this cafe, it very much came to me.”
Dawn hosts a drop-in bereavement support group on Thursday mornings, offering a safe and compassionate space for members of the local community to come together and support each other following bereavement. Everyone is welcome.
“People just sit, have a coffee and a chat, and help each other. One lady who came in asked me what my yellow rose tattoo means and I said it represents strength for everyone fighting cancer, and also my dad’s resilience. It also features in the signage on the outside of the cafe. She then told me that she’d recently moved to the area with her family and her mum had died the day before. She showed me her mum’s knitted heart from Pilgrims – during the pandemic, Pilgrims gave matching knitted hearts to patients and their families, as a way to remain connected despite social distancing restrictions. I showed her my knitted heart, too, as I carry it with me everywhere. Her dad came in shortly afterwards, and we were able to signpost them to local services to help with things like funeral planning.”
Regular customer, Rita, makes crochet trinkets that are sold to raise money for Pilgrims. Dawn added: “Rita’s daughter received Pilgrims care, so it’s her way of giving back and it’s the reason our Pilgrims collection pots fill up so quickly.”
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Dawn also displays local artwork, which is available to purchase, and has a small library where customers can borrow books, both in return for a suggested donation to the charity – the bookshelf was even sourced from Pilgrims Tivoli Brooks furniture warehouse. In addition, she plans to hold a weekly book club.
In September 2024, Dawn hosted an open mic event to raise money for Pilgrims, and hopes to put on another in the near future. She is planning much more, too, including a Christmas-themed doggie photo competition, which people can pay £1 to enter to be in with the chance of winning a hamper.
Dawn also attends annual remembrance events at the Thanet hospice: “Trees of Love is the best event of the whole year, and we have a leaf on the Memory Tree for Dad.
“When my dad died, I thought no one would want to listen to me talk about my grief, so I just went straight back to work. I don’t want other people to feel like that – I want to offer this space to others so they know they’re not alone, and support Pilgrims in any way I can.”
The Wooden Box Café is located at 91 High Street, Ramsgate CT11 9RH.
National Grief Awareness Week takes place 2-8 December 2024. It raises awareness of the impact of grief and loss on a national platform. To find out more, visit thegoodgrieftrust.org/ngaw.
Pilgrims Hospices is a charity dedicated to providing expert care and support to patients with life-limiting illnesses in east Kent. Our services ensure comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients and their families, offering compassionate care both in hospice settings and in the community.
13th November 2024
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.”
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.
11th October 2024
Pilgrims Hospices Thanet 5k Colour Run unites supporters for a spectacular day of fun and charity!
What an incredible atmosphere at this year’s Pilgrims Hospices Thanet 5k Colour Run, which took centre stage at Palm Bay, Cliftonville, Margate on Sunday 6 October 2024.
Over 500 Pilgrims Hospices supporters participated, raising an impressive £220k+ across the eight years the event has taken place for hospice end-of-life care in east Kent. It’s clear that the event continues to make a significant impact.
Karen Kenward, the Fundraising Manager, and the entire team deserve commendation for their hard work and dedication in organising such a successful event. It was heart-warming to see the community come together for a spectacular day in Cliftonville.
Families and friends enjoyed a super fun day while also supporting a local charity. The spectacular weather added to the joy and vibrancy of the occasion.
Fitness expert Bex kicked off the Colour Run event with a fun warm-up for everyone. The dynamic session, full of fun dance moves and cool music, got participants moving, stretching, and prepared for the colourful spectacle ahead.
Karen said: “The money raised today will 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.”
She also shared a heart-warming moment: “This year, Alexa Bolger, aged 8, stole the stage and received huge applause after it was announced how much she had raised by making beaded bracelets to help raise awareness and funds for our charity. To date, Alexa has raised £573, and she even stayed for the warm-up! A huge ‘well done’ to everyone who supported us on the day, and here’s to many more successful events in the future!”
Karen added: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to our sponsors – Watkins, Stagecoach, Copyshop, and Mini Stores in Deal. A special thanks also to Margate Ambulance, Academy Radio, Isle of Thanet News, Frank Leppard for his incredible photos, Pete our DJ, and lastly to the Pilgrims staff and volunteers who help make this event so special.
“I think we can all say we had a real colour blast today, and we couldn’t run this event without everyone’s wonderful support. Thank you all once again!”
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices cares 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.
