Pilgrims Therapy Centre share royal wedding celebrations
No royal wedding celebration would be complete without tea and cake at Pilgrims Hospices.
On Tuesday the hospice in Canterbury gave a warm welcome to patients, staff and volunteers in advance of the royal wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Megan on Saturday 17 May.
Pilgrims Associate Practitioners, Jenny Aylward, Sian Webb, Kelly Richard and Kathleen Steele opened the Wellbeing and Therapy Centre for visitors to enjoy afternoon tea and entertainment from volunteer supporters Alice and Andrew Mussett.
A delicious selection of cakes and pastries were baked by staff and volunteers, Pilgrims catering team supported with party sandwich platters.
Jenny said: “Prince Harry and Meghan will marry on Saturday; we agreed it would be lovely to share a celebration with our Therapy Centre users and friends, it’s a great reason for getting together with tea and cake in a relaxed and informal environment.
“I would like to send a huge thank you to the staff, volunteers andButterfly Garden Tea Parties for all of the generous contributions that made the afternoon tea really special.”
Visitors were able to meet the royals in knitted format when they arrived. Jenny had been busy knitting a full complement of royals including some of the Queens corgis bringing a smile to the face of everyone. She said: “It’s so nice to make people smile, I think everyone enjoyed a little giggle, especially at all the individual details that each member of the royal family had been given.”
Pilgrims run a wide range of support groups and activities for patients and families in order to enhance wellbeing in mind and body. The social events give service users opportunities to meet and connect with other patients and gain an understanding of the full range of services available. The groups always take place in a warm and inviting social setting.”
Cate Russell, Pilgrims Chief Executive joined the celebration and said: “Not only were we celebrating the forthcoming royal wedding, it was lovely for some of our non-clinical staff to share time with patients on the ward and those who use our Therapy Centre services. It’s also really important for our carers, friends and families to feel supported and to have the opportunity to network with people in similar situations.
“Traditional tea and cake how delightful, we hope Prince Harry and Megan have a wonderful wedding celebration.”
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 and read about the Wellbeing and Social programme.
3rd May 2018
Joe and Florence take on the Exmoor Challenge in aid of Pilgrims Hospices
Over the weekend of 20 – 22 April Joe aged 9 and Florence aged 12 Wrake took part in the inaugural Exmoor Expedition with The Children’s Challenge and raised nearly £800 in aid of Pilgrims Hospices.
The Children’s Challenge was set up as a vehicle for young people to raise money for a charity of their choice whist giving them with a genuine challenge in the form of a hike across Exmoor
There were 3 routes to choose from. Florence (and her mum Lisa) walked the 17km one and Joe the longest 21km route. It took 7 & 6 hours respectively starting at 8.30am. It certainly was a challenge for them all.
Lisa explained why they chose to support Pilgrims Hospices: “In 2011 Florence and Joe’s dad Run was diagnosed with lung cancer. Despite surgery and chemotherapy after 6 months his prognosis became terminal and his health deteriorated quickly. In a time of utter disbelief and confusion, Pilgrims Hospice Ashford became our sanctuary – providing practical, mental and spiritual support; it was a quiet, dignified and safe place for us to be together as a family in our final weeks.
“There was a garden for the children to play in, bright rooms with balconies, a living area and kitchen, doctors, nurses and a variety of therapists available around the clock. I still cannot believe this organisation is entirely free at point of use yet 77% of its funding comes from voluntary donations.”
When describing the challenge she said: “The weather was good bar for a few drops of rain towards the end, and the landscape is lovely – woodland, moorland, hills and valleys. It was nice to think about Run as we walked. It was the first time my children have ever done something like this and I am sure will want to do it again next year!”
Isabel Smith, Community Fundraising Officer said: “We are so grateful to Joe and Florence for undertaking such a challenge in aid of Pilgrims Hospices. The walk sounds amazing. The money they have raised will help Pilgrims to support another family like theirs who are facing a similar situation.
“If you would like to take part in a challenge in aid of Pilgrims Hospices please visit the events and challenges pageto see what is happening in your area. “
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 new Wellbeing and Social Programme supporting people after they are diagnosed to live well and stay independent.
2nd March 2018
Slimming World members donate Christmas goods in aid of Pilgrims Hospices
Three Slimming World consultants have brought in gifts to Pilgrims Hospices donated by slimming clubs across Ashford.
Julia Males, Amanda McLaren and Angie Bishop were delighted to present Alison Wilshire, Community Team Leader at Pilgrims Hospice Ashford, with a large selection of goodies that will be used to boost fundraising.
Julia explained: “After Christmas, many of our members are unsure what to do with some of the wonderful food gifts they’ve received, which whilst delicious are somewhat calorific and not very diet-friendly.
We would like to say a huge thank you to every member who has donated a gift. They will be used throughout the year by the fundraising team to raise much-needed funds for local hospice care.
Alison Wilshire, Community Team Leader at Pilgrims Hospice Ashford
“With a renewed enthusiasm for losing weight in the New Year, these are often temptations that are too hard to bear, but many are reluctant to simply throw them away. So the perfect solution was to collect them all in and donate to Pilgrims.”
Alison said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to every member who has donated a gift. They will be used throughout the year by the fundraising team to raise much-needed funds for local hospice care.
“Care is provided from our three hospice sites in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet, as well as in patients’ own homes. To offer these services to patients and their families we must raise £11 million each year from the generous local community.”
If you have items you’d like to donate to Pilgrims, you can drop them off at:
One of our monthly Retail van collections at each hospice site; keep an eye on our Facebook page and Twitter for more information.
We appreciate each and every person who considers donating items to Pilgrims. Your donations raise vital funds to help us continue providing compassionate care in east Kent.
If you or someone you know is coping with a life limiting illness and you think you may benefit from Pilgrims free services, talk to your GP or Healthcare Professional about your options or click here to read about our Wellbeing and Social Programme.
28th February 2018
Barretts of Canterbury pantomime raises vital funds for local hospice care
Local business Barretts of Canterbury has raised an amazing £5,365 for Pilgrims Hospices with their annual pantomime production at the Marlowe Theatre.
This year’s pantomime was Peter Pan and saw a fantastic cast take to the stage, including Shaun Williamson, best known for playing Barry Evans in Eastenders, and Gemma Hunt, who presents Swashbuckle on CBeebies.
The annual pantomime is always at the top of local families’ festive to-do lists, and Managing Director, Paul Barrett, kindly ensures that his employees, their families and friends are able to attend. Additionally, all money raised from the discounted ticket sales is genorously donated to three local charities; this year, the chosen charities were Pilgrims Hospices, Kent, Surry and Sussex Air Ambulance and Porchlight.
Pilgrims would like to say a big thank you to Paul for choosing us to be a beneficiary of this incredibly generous gesture; the money raised will make such a positive difference to the lives of people across east Kent who are living with incurable illness.
Lydia Todd, Community Fundraising Officer at Pilgrims Hospices
Each charity is also invited to hold a collection on the night. Pilgrims volunteers made the most of this opportunity by going along and getting into the festive spirit, and those who collected were offered tickets to the show. They thoroughly enjoyed the night and were particularly touched by the generosity of the audience who donated to Pilgrims.
Barretts raised £16,095 through this year’s pantomime, and Paul Barrett hosted all three charities at the Jaguar showroom in Canterbury to present them with cheques for £5,365 each.
During the past five years Barretts’ annual pantomime has raised a stunning £24,215 for Pilgrims, which is enough to pay for 1,000 hours of specialist nursing care in east Kent.
Lydia Todd, Community Fundraising Officer at Pilgrims Hospices, said: “Pilgrims would like to say a big thank you to Paul for choosing us to be a beneficiary of this incredibly generous gesture; the money raised will make such a positive difference to the lives of people across east Kent who are living with incurable illness. Barretts is a long-standing supporter of Pilgrims and we can’t thank their staff enough for always ensuring the Marlowe pantomime is such a great success.”
If you or someone you know is coping with a life limiting illness and you think you may benefit from Pilgrims free services, talk to your GP or Healthcare Professional about your options or click here to read about our Wellbeing and Social Programme.
26th February 2018
Ella and Pal stroll out for Pilgrims
Ella Williams from Canterbury and her gorgeous two-year-old black Labrador, Pal, will join Pilgrims Hospices Paws 4 Pilgrims fun 5K dog walk on Sunday 25 March. Ella and her puppy friend are taking part in loving memory of three very special people who all spent time in the care of nurses at Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury. The pair have already raised more than £250 to help others who need Pilgrims care in the local area.
Hundreds of supporters and their canine buddies have already signed up to raise important funds for Pilgrims by walking the beautiful coastal route in Deal, followed by a fun dog show.
The hospice exceeded our family expectations; we could not have asked for anything more. We received such high quality care before, during and after all three experiences and will always be grateful.
Ella
Ella is remembering:
John Michael Choules
After being diagnosed with COPD, Grandpa Mike sadly passed away on 20 March 2017 and spent his last few hours at Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury. The staff at the hospice spent time with my nan and helped a lot with aftercare, which was much appreciated.
Kenneth George Williams
After a long battle with kidney cancer, Grandpa Ken passed away on 18 August 2017 and spent his final week in the care of the lovely nurses at Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury. A special mention to the nurse who my nan fondly remembers as ‘Mrs Chatter Box’ who helped all of us, but especially my nan, through this time.
Susan Clare Garcia-Rodriguez
Sue sadly passed away due to breast cancer on 9 September 2012 and spent time in Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury, where the nurses provided amazing care and support. Our much loved and very close family friend is still dearly missed and fondly remembered six years on.
Ella said: “I really didn’t know much about hospice care until our close family friend, Sue, spent time there; I then found out more when my grandads also received Pilgrims care.
“The hospice exceeded our family expectations, we could not have asked for anything more. We received such high quality care before, during and after all three experiences and will always be grateful.”
Ella is hoping to raise at least £360 for Pilgrims. She explained: “Pal is just full of energy and will love sharing a Sunday walk with lots of other dogs and their families. We will be walking with my partner Andrew, my brother Josh and my sisters Tas and Tasha – and hopefully my mum Steph, too.
“Pal especially loves a tennis ball and I’m sure she’s going to enjoy taking part in the fun dog events after the sponsored walk.”
Kate Duddell, Pilgrims Fundraising Manager said: “We hope even more people will join us for our special Sunday stroll; you can even join in the walk without a dog. Why not come along and have your face painted as a doggy character and sponsor yourself for a few pounds?
“The dog show starts at 12pm, and a variety of stalls and catering will be available. It will be great fun to watch the dogs doing their best to impress the judges in the Best Sausage Catcher competition, amongst others.”
Ella told us this is her first Pilgrims fundraising event and hopes it will be one of many to help such a worthy local charity. Sign up here to join Ella and Pal on the day. If you’d like to sponsor Ella and Pal visit Ella’s Just Giving page. Any donations, big or small, will be much appreciated.
Pilgrims is a charity providing palliative care free of charge to people in east Kent. For people with a range of life-limiting illnesses, specialist services are provided from our three sites in Canterbury, Ashford and Thanet, in patients’ homes and in the community. We offer a range of services, from end of life care given on our wards to our new Wellbeing and Social Programmesupporting people after they are diagnosed to live well and stay independent. Only 25% of the funding we receive comes from the government.
The gift of a cuddle can make all the difference
Pilgrims Hospices is asking people to share the love by giving a cuddle this Spring and making a small donation to their new Give a Cuddle appeal that launched in February.
Pilgrims is raising funds to provide each of its three hospices with a Cuddle Bed; these extra wide and adaptable hospital beds will enable patients to lie next to their loved one at the hospice, whether that’s husbands, wives, partners, children, grandchildren, grandparents or friends.
Kate White, Senior Nurse Manager, said: “Everyone loves a cuddle and cuddling is even more important to those families whose loved ones are ill. It’s been linked to reduced anxiety and the release of feel-good hormones, supporting pain relief and promoting better sleep.
Everyone loves a cuddle and cuddling is even more important to those families whose loved ones are ill.
Kate White, Senior Nurse Manager at Pilgrims Hospices
“Only this January, Tony, the husband of one our patients, Gill, had such kind words to say about the care his wife had received. He explained that his one wish was that he could have been able to share a cuddle with his beloved wife during her final days.”
Tony said: “Each evening as we fell asleep at the hospice, I held Gill’s hand between her bed and the chair I slept in, but it wasn’t the same as having a cuddle at home. To have those extra nights together cuddling would have been such a comfort to both of us.
“I’m so pleased to be able to support the Give a Cuddle campaign. Gill would simply love the thought of others benefitting from such special time with their loved ones, and I have truly realised the importance of having just one more cuddle.”
Each of the beds costs £10,500, and Pilgrims hope to secure local support for a Cuddle Bed on each of the hospice sites in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet.
We put the people using our services at the centre of all we do.
Sara Scriven, Individual Giving Manager at Pilgrims Hospices
Sara Scriven, former Individual Giving Manager, said: “We put the people using our services at the centre of all we do. We wrap our arms around the whole family as well as the person who is ill. Tony’s story has shown us how important it is for us to offer people using our wards a bed that’s big enough for two people to lay side by side; to make our dream a reality we need to raise £31,500 in total.”
Each year Pilgrims supports hundreds of local people coping with a life limiting illness, and their families. We offer a range of services: from end of life care given on our wards, to our Wellbeing and Social Programme supporting people after they are diagnosed to live well and stay independent.