Pilgrims Matters virtual edition – Spring / Summer 2025

• Helping to shape ambulance services for people in the last year of life: Pilgrims collaborates with university research team to invite eligible people to help shape ambulance services in the future
• The future of Pilgrims in Canterbury: We’re delighted to announce that we’re launching a project to modernise our premises in London Road, Canterbury
• Meet some of the wonderful Pilgrims people who are part of the community, part of your story, part of us; find out how you can make a difference and be part of our story by leaving a gift in your Will
• Celebrating 15 years of Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge: Launched in 2010, Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challengehas become a much-loved Pilgrims event and one of the South East’s largest cycle rides
• Pauline thanks Pilgrims Hospices with kind donation in memory of husband, Jim: Pauline Jeffrey fundraised for Pilgrims in memory of her husband, enabling us to buy items for our Wellbeing Programme
• Compassionate Communities continue to grow in east Kent: We’re forming an east Kent-wideCompassionate Communitynetwork – a community prepared to help – and everybody can be involved
• Local charities unite for sustainability: We’ve teamed up with fellow local charity, Canterbury Umbrella, to make a meaningful difference in our east Kent community
• Making every donation count: Our Retail team turns donations into compassionate care for individuals and families across east Kent
• Pilgrims Hospice Thanet refurbishment: Our Thanet hospice has undergone an extensive refurbishment, improving accessibility and facilities for patients, families and staff
• Alexa raises £100s for Pilgrims Hospices with beautiful bracelets: 8-year-old Alexa Bolger has raised £100s for Pilgrims in memory of loved ones and family friends who received our care
• Nourishing body and soul: Our catering team create comforting, high-quality food that brings warmth and a sense of normality to all who walk through our hospice doors
• From small beginnings to over 21,000 entries: Pilgrims Hospices Lottery began in 1996; with its weekly draw now at over 21,000 entries, it continues to grow and support local hospice care
• Fundraising dates for your diary
• Kevin and Dympna’s story of hope: After meeting at a Pilgrims Hospices bereavement support group, Kevin and Dympna share how life continues after bereavement and throughout grief, and how they now support Pilgrims in several ways, including by dedicating sunflowers at Sunflower Memories

Our fundraising activities and your generosity mean that we’re able to continue to offer our end-of-life services to our local communities when and where they need it. With your help and support, we intend to continually develop, and improve, our services so that we are still here, still caring, both now and in the future.

Please keep safe and well.

Best wishes,

The Pilgrims Hospices team

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.