Spring was in the air for Cycle Challenge on Bank Holiday Sunday
More than 1,000 cyclists enjoyed a beautiful Spring Bank Holiday Sunday exploring the stunning Kent countryside at the 13th annual Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge.
Riders of all abilities took part, collectively cycling more than 76,000 miles to support the skilled and compassionate end-of-life care the charity provides across east Kent.
So far this year’s event has raised almost £100,000; with indications showing the total could reach as much as £110,000 for Pilgrims, once all donations and Gift Aid are finalised.
Individuals, families, friends, cycling clubs, local businesses and services throughout Kent, took on the 30, 50, 75, 100 or 125-mile challenge. Bright skies and dry roads were the perfect conditions for Pilgrims’ flagship fundraising event. Ever since the event first took place in 2010, supporters have raised an astonishing £1.2 million pounds to help people who need Pilgrims’ care within our community.
All routes started and finished at Pilgrims Event Village at the University of Kent, near Canterbury. Returning cyclists could enjoy a celebratory atmosphere, sports massage and well-earned refreshments after collecting their commemorative medal.
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.
“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.”
“I must also thank Kent Sport, Biketart, Barretts and London Array for their wonderful support for the event, which enables us to maximise the amount of funds we can raise for hospice care.”
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.
21st April 2023
Anthony Giles supports creative art event for Pilgrims Hospices
Local artist Anthony Giles, has generously offered his studio for Pilgrims to hold the 100 Pieces of Art charity auction, taking place on 1 July 2023. Anthony lives and works in Margate, surrounded by Turner’s best skies in the whole of Europe.
Pilgrims are inviting budding artists of all ages and abilities, to submit their paintings, ceramic or sculpture art to create 100 pieces of art to be sold at auction to help support Pilgrims Hospices’ end-of-life care.
Karen Kenward, Pilgrims Hospices Community Fundraising Manager said:
“Anthony has been involved with art events for Pilgrims Hospices over the years, and helped choose art for previous events. When he approached me last year, I was delighted; it’s a lovely studio, and I’m very excited to be holding a Pilgrims art event in such a prestigious venue. Our charity constantly looks for innovative and interesting ways to engage with the local community and our supporters. I’m really hoping to capture the imagination of lots of local artists, and budding artists, to help us achieve our 100 pieces for the auction.”
Anyone can submit an artwork, painting, drawing, ceramic or sculpture art; if you have a creative eye, we would love to see your work!
The auction will be held at Anthony Giles Studio, 3 Lombard Street, Margate.
The deadline for submissions isFriday 5 May 2023.
Please note:Paintings and drawings must be between postcard size 6”x 4” and 26”x 24”, framed or unframed.
Viewing will take place betweenTuesday 27 June and Friday 30 June, 10am – 4pmandSaturday 1 July, 10am – 12pm.
The auction will begin at1pm on Saturday 1 July, with pre-event drinks and nibbles from10am – 12pm.
Karen added: “Anyone can come along, so please do support this very special event; you can also make a bid prior to the auction, or on the day in person, or by telephone. This is a great opportunity to buy a beautiful piece of art, knowing that all profits from the art will help to support Pilgrims services.”
For more information, or if you’re interested in submitting a piece of art, contact Karen Kenward by telephone on 01843 233 934 or email [email protected].
Auction catalogues will be available nearer the time of the event, costing £5 from Pilgrims Hospice Thanet and the Anthony Giles Studio, Margate.
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 Programme supporting people after they are diagnosed to live well and stay independent.
11th April 2023
UNFRAMED mural festival and art trail arrives in Ashford
Follow the Ashford UNFRAMED 2023 art trail this April half term, and be amazed by the murals created by national and local artists, who have transformed blank walls in Ashford town centre, into a sea of colour and creativity.
Kate Duddell from Pilgrims’ fundraising team with Chris Dixon from Ashford Borough Council / Mural art by Will Redgrove on Pilgrims’ Ashford General shop
Sue Sharp with artist Will Redgrove
At the UNFRAMED launch, Sue Sharp, Pilgrims Hospices Director of Income Generation and Marketing, met mural artist Will Redgrove, painter of Pilgrims Hospices shop on Castle Street with his interpretation of the work of Pilgrims. The masterpiece depicts three blue tits representing the three Pilgrims Hospices; a ribbon in flight within a field of bluebells, forget-me-nots and sunflowers. A meaningful and peaceful representation of everlasting love, memory and care, which, is at the heart of Pilgrims Hospices’ vision.
Visitors to the festival can download a map, scan a QR code at each site, or pick up a physical map from Coachworks, Low Key Tap Room, Picturehouse or Made in Ashford and wander around the town centre immersing themselves in the street art and learning more about each piece.
The mural festival is running from Saturday 1 April to Sunday 16 April 2023, with arts workshops, street dance and film screenings available to all visitors.
Keep up with all the latest updates as they happen and watch the progress of the artwork being created by following @ashfordunframedon Instagram.
Pilgrims Hospices care for thousands of local people each year, free of charge, during the most challenging time in their lives. They offer care and support in people’s own homes, in the community and in their inpatient units as well as running a 24-hour advice line.
5th April 2023
Broadstairs Beavers get creative with Pilgrims Hospices
The generous 11th Broadstairs Beavers, visited Pilgrims Hospice Thanet with Tracey Garnier, to present their donation of £200. The Beavers had been saving money each week, to help support people who need important Pilgrims’ care.
They were interested to find out more about activities that take place in the Therapy Centre, and enjoyed a craft session during their visit.
Jane Stanley, Wellbeing Practitioner said:
“It was such a great evening! We had prepared packs of 3D desktop beavers to make, and coiling dreamcatcher snakes to decorate. After a brief overview of some of the Wellbeing groups here at Pilgrims, the Beavers ‘beavered’ on with the crafts. They enjoyed the cheque handover and having their photograph taken. We also had a new Beaver invested into the group, and they all marched out happily holding their beavers and snakes.
“They loved hearing about the groups we run for patients, and seeing the warm safe space of our Therapy Centre, while enjoying the cutting and sticking crafts. They thought about a message to put in their desktop beaver; one wrote a message for someone who had been unkind to them at school, and was going to give the beaver to them as a gift.
“The evening showed the kindness of this community group, donating a fantastic sum to the good work done at Pilgrims.”
Tracey Garnier, Unit Clerk continued:
“I am Tracey (Tic Tac) my Beaver name, and I work as the Unit Clerk in Pilgrims Hospice Thanet. I joined the hospice team a year ago, after a career change, having previously worked in education for 26 years as a learning support assistant. My other assistant leader also works at the hospice – Caroline (Tu Tu) is part of the fundraising team, and joined our group 5 years ago, after coming on a Beavers District Hike which was donating money to Pilgrims Hospices.
“Each week, we encourage the Beavers to bring in small change which is collected and then donated to a charity. Over the COVID period, we were not allowed to meet so this all stopped.
Tracey added: “I approached Billy Williams, Pilgrims Wellbeing Lead, to see if it would be possible for the Beavers to visit the therapy area, and undertake an art activity. I wanted the Beavers to see how their donation would help to support local people who need care; helping them to understand having seen the physical place.
“Jane has been amazing and came up with some ideas and beavered away to make sure everything was ready for the evening. We asked the Beavers some general questions, then asked Jane to tell us what it is that happens in that area. They were very interested and surprised by the variety of things. We then started the art activity which they really enjoyed.
“I hope to incorporate some other activities in our coming sessions, and hope to visit the hospice again. Watch this space.”
Caroline Dixon, from Pilgrims said:“We had a fabulous time with our Broadstairs Beavers, they were really keen to learn, and by visiting the hospice, it’s given them an opportunity to find out first-hand about the special care we offer here.”
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,500 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.
4th April 2023
Always Caring: Daphne’s story
As a member of Pilgrims Hospices Always Caring, Daphne Smith supports the charity with a monthly donation, to give back for the care and support her and her husband, Ron, received.
My late husband Ron and I were both in the Civil Service working for the prison department. Ron was an electrician before he joined the Service, so went in as a Trades Officer and worked his way up through the ranks. He always worked and played hard and I was immensely proud of him. He was 89 when he died and we had been married for 68 years.
Whilst Ron was receiving immunotherapy at the Viking centre, he also had help from Pilgrims Hospices, who provided six sessions, once a week with the Energise group at the Thanet hospice. They got him back into exercising, and at the end of six weeks he was considered fit enough to restart at the local gym, which he thoroughly enjoyed. When the pandemic stopped him from attending the gym, he bought an exercise bike from the Pilgrims warehouse in Margate and exercised daily in our conservatory.
The help and understanding we both received at that frightening and upsetting time was so very much appreciated, and is why I continue to support Pilgrims Hospices through Always Caring.
Daphne
During his two year course of treatment, I was helped by attending the Carer Wellbeing Days. When I first arrived there I was apprehensive, but was soon put at ease by the kind and understanding staff. I could exchange views and feelings in a safe environment, spending time with others who were going through the same experiences. I found the Carer Wellbeing Days very helpful, as they gave me the time to relax away from my responsibilities as a carer. I also attended programmes run by the Palliative Specialist Nurses, where they gave me information on finance, common symptoms, and nutrition.
None of us know when we might need hospice care, but with your support we can continue to be here for local people when they need us most.
By giving regularly to Pilgrims Hospices you can help us be here, Always Caring for our patients and their families.
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.
28th March 2023
Sunflower Memories: David’s story
In 2023, Pilgrims Hospices celebrates 10 years of Sunflower Memories, its annual summer remembrance campaign. People across east Kent will come together at the hospices in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet on Saturday 22 July to remember loved ones with special sunflower memory markers.
David remembers his wife, Sue, who worked for Pilgrims before receiving our care.
My wife Sue was the most amazing, caring and loving lady that I had the privilege to have been allowed to marry, love and share life with for the last 46 amazing years. Sue was very loved by all those who knew her. Not just friends but also she had a deep love for all our nieces and nephews who loved her back.
Sue was a legal secretary for some 27 years, working at many local firms before deciding that the care and nursing profession was her destiny. After working for the East Kent Hospitals Trust, she worked in end-of-life care in our community, before joining the Pilgrims Hospices team at Ashford. They were the best years in her life, during which she made many good friends among her patients.
Sue on the front cover of Pilgrims Matters 2013
Antiques was Sue’s passion, we could sit fifty people down for tea and each person would have a different cup and saucer! She was a very talented lady who could turn her hand to many things from dressmaking, to tending her beloved garden, water colour painting and making many wedding cakes. Sue was a prominent member of our community, involved in everything from fundraising activities, helping lead her local WI group, to helping administer COVID jabs during the pandemic.
Despite her illness, Sue always remained positive and upbeat and never complained, even though I knew she was in pain. I was so lucky to be home and right at her side at the end of her fight. She was my strength, my endurance, my friend and my love.
Sunflower Memories gives me time to reflect and remember Sue at a place she loved so very much while supporting the incredible work carried out at Pilgrims Hospices. Pilgrims meant so much to Sue and that is why I continue to support whenever I can.
Sunflower Days will take place on Saturday 22 July 2023, 10am-2pm, at our Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet hospices, where we welcome you to share your memories with us and each other, and celebrate in the sunshine.
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 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.
