Thousands raised as Cycle Challenge celebrates 10th year
Cyclists took to the Kentish countryside on a breezy Spring Bank Holiday Sunday for Pilgrims Hospices annual Cycle Challenge.
This year celebrates the 10th anniversary of this much-loved event. Almost 1,200 riders took part collectively cycling more than 94,000 miles to support end-of-life care in east Kent. Early indications show the event will raise over £100,000 for Pilgrims Hospices.
Individuals, families, friends, cycle clubs, local businesses, and services throughout Kent took up the 45, 75, 100 or the latest addition to the distances, the 125-mile ride, on the day. It was a stark contrast to last year’s early May Bank Holiday when the temperature soared into the high 20’s, recording the hottest since the holiday was introduced in 1978. A more temperate 13 degrees made for a more comfortable ride this year.
Michelle Brown from Birchington cycled in memory of her dad who was cared for at home by Pilgrims’ Hospice at Home team
All routes started and finished at the Pilgrims event village at the University of Kent, near Canterbury. Returning cyclists could enjoy a sports massage and well-earned refreshment after collecting their 10th anniversary commemorative medal.
It was brilliant to see such a strong show of support for Pilgrims!
Robert Grew, Events Fundraiser at Pilgrims Hospices
Lewis Smith celebrated his 21st birthday with the 45-mile route for Pilgrims
Robert Grew, Pilgrims event organiser, said: “It was brilliant to see such a strong show of support for Pilgrims! We congratulate all the riders in achieving their goals and for their incredible support for the end of life care Pilgrims provides.
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“It’s a privilege to organise the event and, seeing it year after year I’m always reminded how much of a team effort it is. Our army of volunteers are just outstanding and gave up their bank holiday weekend to help make the whole experience safe and enjoyable for our riders. I can’t thank them enough! Nor the waves of cyclists who puff their way around the course in support each year.”
There are many exciting events and challenges taking place throughout the year to raise important funds for Pilgrims Hospices, click here to see our event listings. If you would like to speak with your local fundraising team visit fundraise for us.
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.
22nd February 2019
How much is that doggie in the window?
The shop windows of Pilgrims Hospices shop on the High Street in Deal are dressed to support the Paws 4 Pilgrims sponsored dog walk that’s taking place on Sunday 24 March.
Jenny Byrne, Pilgrims Retail Manager East, and shop volunteers Doreen Whalley and Ann Needleship have gathered all things doggie to create a fun window display to encourage dog owners to sign up and walk the 5km charity fundraising walk along the beautiful coastal route to raise money for Pilgrims care.
Jenny said: “There’s a brilliant selection of donated items in the window displays, we really hope to make visitors to our shop smile.
“We have wonderful shoppers who use our store regularly along with many day trippers who are picking up a bargain while visiting the seaside town of Deal.
“It’s a lovely opportunity to share the news of this fun fundraising event, especially as it’s happening in our own town. We hope to encourage lots more people to sign-up and join in with the event and raise important funds for people who need our help the most.”
The Deal shop is open from Monday thru Saturday 9:30 am – 4:30 pm: “We are full to the brim with some beautiful pre-loved clothing, trinkets, books, curiosities and lots more, please come and visit us. So why not ‘paws’ for a moment, and come in and browse.” added Jenny.
Did you know that Pilgrims Hospices has over 30 shops in east Kent? Your donations and purchases make a huge contribution to Pilgrims Hospices charity; allowing the care team to support over 2,400 each year on hospices wards in the hospices in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet as well and within the community and in peoples own homes.
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 visit Wellbeing and Social Programme.
8th October 2018
Colour Run for Claire in memory of grandma Sybil
Claire Mursell (24), an Early Help Support Worker from Ramsgate, will take on the Thanet 5k Colour Run on Sunday 21 October in memory of her grandma, Sybil Foord, who was cared for by Pilgrims in December 2014.
Running is a new hobby for Claire and her partner, Sam Grist. Claire was looking to get involved in an event that would give her motivation to keep it up, and that’s when she heard about the Thanet 5k Colour Run: “When I saw the event advertised on Facebook, I knew I had to take part and raise money for the charity that looked after my grandma.”
Claire’s grandma, Sybil Foord
The family were supported by Pilgrims when Sybil was receiving end-of-life care, so Claire feels that the Thanet 5k Colour Run is a fitting way to give back and help others: “My grandma was so well looked after by Pilgrims. She was made comfortable and our family were welcome to visit; it was a lovely, welcoming place. All the Pilgrims staff were helpful and gave our family the support we needed.
“Pilgrims means the world to me. With their kindness and care, they made my grandma’s last days the best they could be. This support was extended to our family after she passed.”
A huge thank you to my mum Trudy Mursell, she is my rock and supports me with everything I do.
Claire
Claire’s family and Sam are cheering her on and helping her raise vital funds in aid of Pilgrims. She said: “By getting sponsored to complete the Thanet 5k Colour Run, I hope to ensure that more local families can benefit from the support and care my grandma and my family received.”
Want to get colourful for Pilgrims? Visit pilgrimshospices.org/colourrun to sign up now to dash through bright paint clouds and get covered in colour in aid of local hospice care. Entry is £20 for adults and £15 for under 11s.
All participants will receive a running number, white t-shirt, funky glasses and colour sachet on the day. Extra paint sachets will be available to purchase at the event, and you’ll receive a thank you medal from Pilgrims when you cross the finish line.
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 visit click here for information on the Wellbeing and Social Programme.
4th September 2018
Angling charity cheque really is ‘the catch of the day’ for Pilgrims
The Charity Shield fishing match in support of chosen charity Pilgrims Hospices took place in July at Stonar Lake, Sandwich raising an amazing £4,219.42 for vital hospice care.
The pairs match, which was made possible by the hard work of organisers Brian Allen, Jon Weir and John Sturge, proved a great success again this year. Through generous sponsorship, the event and the fishermen have raised an amazing £7,366 over two years for Pilgrims’ care.
We are very pleased to have presented the cheque to Pilgrims Hospices; the charity is a much-loved and important part of our community.
John Sturge, Competition Organiser
John Sturge presented the cheque to Karen Kenward, Pilgrims Hospices Community Fundraising Manager, at the Thanet hospice last week.
John said: “We had an excellent turnout of 24 angling pairs for the match that took place in July. The winners with the largest fish were Skip Knight and his partner Noddy, with a fine 26lb Mirror Carp. Henry Weir was the top junior with three Carp, the heaviest weighing in at 10lb 8oz.”
The superb weather lasted throughout the weekend with all those involved having a great time at the barbeque on Saturday and prize draw on Sunday. All prizes for the draw were donated by local business and supporters.
“We are very pleased to have presented the cheque to Pilgrims Hospices; the charity is a much-loved and important part of our community”, John added.
Karen said: “This really is a wonderful event that brings much enthusiasm from many anglers. We really cannot thank everyone enough for their time and effort in making this possible. This donation will help provide care for patients, their families and friends who need us the most. Every penny will help support our work here at Pilgrims. Thank you.”
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 click Wellbeing and Social Programme to read more.
3rd September 2018
Miles 4 Maurice half marathons challenge for Rodger
Rodger Baker took on the August Bank Holiday Canterbury Half Marathon in the first of six 13.1-mile challenges he plans to undertake to raise £1,000 for Pilgrims Hospices’ care. Over 600 runners took part in this much-loved annual event.
Rodger’s father-in-law, Maurice Collingwood, who was 73 and lived in Sturry, sadly passed away in January of this year after a battle with pancreatic cancer. During his final weeks Pilgrims Hospices supported his care, which enabled him to remain at home in surroundings that made him more comfortable and in the company of those who loved him.
Rodger said: “The Pilgrims team were amazing. They took care of Maurice’s needs and were present when he passed away. My wife, Rachel, and myself have drawn great comfort in the knowledge that everything possible was in place for him to live well until the end.”
Rodger at the Canterbury Half Marathon
Project Manager Rodger, who is 45 and lives in Paddock Wood, started to run a few years ago with a 5km challenge at his local gym. Since then he’s completed several half marathons and four full marathons.
Rodger added: “I wanted to do more than just thank Pilgrims Hospices for the care and support the charity offered Maurice and my family.
“I’m a keen runner and decided to challenge myself. I will be running six half marathons to raise funds to enable them to continue their work. The Canterbury run went really well and I’ve already raised more than £500 toward my target.”
The Pilgrims team were amazing. They took care of Maurice’s needs and were present when he passed away. My wife, Rachel, and myself have drawn great comfort in the knowledge that everything possible was in place for him to live well until the end.
Rodger
Rodger follows a training programme to keep him on track with his half marathon schedule. He will take part in the Reading and London Landmarks half marathons in March and the Windsor, Cardiff and Maidstone half marathons on consecutive Sundays in September and October.
“My family are really pleased and fully supportive. It’s a great way to help out the people who helped us at a very difficult time.
“The Canterbury Half was a tough run, the hilliest I’ve ever done but I made it round in one piece”, Rodger added.
Robert Grew, Pilgrims Hospices Events Fundraiser, said: “We had almost 20 runners taking part in the Canterbury Half Marathon and raising vital funds for those suffering terminal illness. It’s a tough and challenging event but worth the commitment with such wonderful scenery and views across Kent. The weather was really quite congenial for running and many personal bests and targets were smashed on the day. It was great to meet Rodger in person and wish him well. He is so generous of his time, efforts and spirit; we thank him and wish him well as he undertakes a further five events.
We anticipate our runners will raise as much as £6,500 for Pilgrims Hospices’ care.”
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 Wellbeing and Social Programme supporting people after they are diagnosed to live well and stay independent.
29th August 2018
Pilgrims’ Thanet Colour Run is back for the third year
Pilgrims Hospices’ Thanet 5K Colour Run is back. Hundreds of supporters have already signed up to run, jog or walk along the cliff tops of Palm Bay, Cliftonville, Margate on Sunday 21 October to raise vital funds to support end of life care in the local area.
The event is inspired by the Hindu Holi festival, where participants take part in a 5K run with locations along the route where coloured powders are thrown over the runners.
Supporters all have something in common; raising money for Pilgrims Hospices, who touch the lives of so many individuals and families throughout east Kent, and sharing the experience with other hospice supporters in celebrating the lives of so many loved ones.
This year, local solicitors Boys and Maughan are supporting the fun-packed event by entering their own staff team.
Ian Priston, Marketing Manager for Boys and Maughan, said: “Taking part in the Colour Run means a lot to our staff.
“The hospice is a charity with which many people within our firm have had personal experiences. Pilgrims Hospices offer compassionate care to so many individuals who require end of life care, along with support and services to help those families and friends who are dealing with the loss of their loved ones.
Taking part in the Colour Run means a lot to our staff.
Ian Priston, Marketing Manager at Boys and Maughan
“Our team of 13 can’t wait to get messy and colourful, and it’s all the better because we know that we will be doing something really worthwhile by taking part. It would be great if other local businesses join in to help make the event an even greater success. We will certainly be encouraging them!”
Last year this spectacular family fun event raised in excess of £37,000 for the charity, with more than 1,000 people taking part. Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager for Pilgrims Hospices, said: “The event was so successful we simply had to offer our supporters an opportunity to take part again.
“To have the support of so many individuals helping to raise such a huge amount for our charity in just one day is quite incredible.
“We’re delighted to have the support of the Boys and Maughan team. We have colour stations where the powder paint clouds will fill the air and cover our supporters, and we can definitely guarantee them an explosion of colour and a fun-filled day, with much laughter.”
Ian Priston, Anna Leach, Demi Constantine, Victoria Stone, Lauren Corrigan, Ellie Bowden and Vicki Attwood, members of Boys and Maughan Colour Run team
Everyone will receive a running number, white t-shirt, funky glasses and colour sachet on the day. Be prepared to get messy. You can purchase extra paint sachets at the event for even more spectacular paint clouds. And… what’s more you will receive a thank you medal from Pilgrims when you cross the finish line.
The Pilgrims staff and volunteers will be ready and waiting for everyone from 9:00am on Sunday 21 October, with the fun starting at 11.30am.
Registration is open and will cost £20 for adults and £10 for under 11s. Sign up now at pilgrimshospices.org/colourrun or contact Karen Kenward for further information:
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 visit click here for information on the Wellbeing and Social Programme.
