Sarah and ‘Tony’s Team’ think on their feet for Pilgrims
“It’s been one year since we said goodbye to Tony, my stepfather, to lung cancer. I cannot tell you how much the resource and support of Pilgrims Hospices, Canterbury meant to us, and Tony, during 2019. The hospice was absolutely invaluable and nurses, doctors and staff were there for us through the toughest time.”
On Sunday 12 July 2020, Sarah should have been stood at the start line of the Herne Bay 10k; a local running event organised and hosted by @InvictaEastKentAC. The decision to run in the Herne Bay 10k as part of #TeamPilgrims was a straight forward one for Sarah, she said: “I chose to run the Herne Bay 10k this year as it encompasses the place Tony lived and loved with my mum during his final years. We had so many happy memories at the Hampton Park and at the pier crabbing; it just felt right to join.”
Sarah’s stepfather Tony
Unfortunately, like many events across the country, due to COVID-19 the local running event was cancelled for the safety of the participants, volunteers and the local community. Sarah didn’t let this stop her though. Along with ‘Tony’s Team’, a group of friends who fundraise together for Pilgrims in memory of Tony, they ran their very own Herne Bay 10k; same route, same day, same purpose! They even received well-deserved medals and certificates when they crossed the finish line
We were determined to not let COVID-19 affect our important fundraising event.
Sarah
When asked why they chose to do their own Herne Bay 10k Sarah said: “To go through losing someone during a pandemic is unthinkable. Pilgrims Hospices need our support now more than ever. They have lost income from many fundraising events and their shops and yet, they will still be helping countless families through their darkest hours. In the August of 2019, we set up ‘Tony’s Team’ and challenged ourselves to cycle 25-miles at Divas on Wheels. We were overwhelmed to raise £747 in memory of Tony for Pilgrims Hospices. We are aiming to raise £500 this year, but would love to round off the total amount raised for Pilgrims, from both events, to £1,500 if we can!”
‘Tony’s Team’ have not only reached their target, but have smashed it! Generous friends and family have come out in full force to support them, and have helped them raise £914 for their Herne Bay 10k. This means that their total raised for Pilgrims Hospices is £1,661!
It is thanks to people like Sarah, and ‘Tony’s Team’, that we are able to care for over 2,500 patients each year, whether this is in one of our three inpatient units in Ashford, Canterbury and Margate, or in patient’s own homes. The money raised by ‘Tony’s Team’ could cover the cost of our community care teams at one of our sites for just over 24 hours
Sarah, and ‘Tony’s Team’, are fundraising for Pilgrims to ensure that future families can receive the dedicated care and support that theirs did at such a difficult time. Of their fundraising Sarah said: “We were determined to not let COVID-19 affect our important fundraising event. We had family and friends supporting along the route to cheer us along! This is such an important cause. We are thrilled to have still managed to raise awareness and important funds for Pilgrims Hospices during this time. We are lucky to have Pilgrims Hospices in east Kent and together, we can keep it supporting other families in need.”
This year alone, Pilgrims Hospices has to raise £11 million through voluntary donations in order to run our full range of services. Sponsorship raised through events like these helps us to continue caring for local people at the end of their lives.
7th July 2020
Rowing, Riding and Running Fundraiser for local hospice care in lockdown
Rob Playford from Ashford set out to complete a charity challenge to raise vital funds for Pilgrims Hospices. Rob originally planned to a 50k run in May between the Ashford and Canterbury Pilgrims Hospices and then back again, in memory of his late Mother in Law Joan Capell, who was cared for at the Ashford Hospice.
But circumstances being as they are, Rob had to soon adapt his fundraising efforts with an interim event while he patiently waited to run his original goal. Rob decided to row, ride and run for the local hospice care.
It is amazing the drive you can find when you remind yourself why you are doing something
Rob Playford
Rob’s new idea, now called ‘Rob-athon’, began with a 1/2 marathon (21.1k) row in his garage, followed by a 30k bike ride and then to top it off, he then completed a 10k run, all back-to-back! Rob was spurred on in the final 3k by one of his team mates from Ashford Hockey Club.
Rob told us: “If someone had said to me 6 months ago you’ll be doing a 60K+ row, ride and run all in one go I would have fallen over laughing.
“But it is amazing the drive you can find when you remind yourself why you are doing something.
“It wasn’t easy but I just focused on the amazing support Pilgrims Hospices had given Joan, Sarah (my wife) and the family last year. The hospices do such an amazing job and I just wanted to show our appreciation.”
Louise Newman, Ashford Community Fundraising Manager said: “We would like to thank Rob for his ingenious Rob-athlon – row, ride, race idea and all those who have supported him to raise £1,750 and counting for end of life care in east Kent.
“The amount raised for hospice care is so valuable and will allow us to provide the best possible support to families who need us. Every £25 could pay for one hour of nursing care, either on our wards or in a patient’s own home, the funds raised through our communities own events during this challenging time, such as these, are vital to the work Pilgrims Hospices does across east Kent.”
Rob is still planning for his 50k run, but in the meantime he has managed to raise an incredible £1,750 so far and is well on his way to achieving his target. If you would still like to support him please donate here http://www.justgiving.com/Rob-Playford.
Pilgrims Hospices are still delivering compassionate end of life care to over 2,500 people in our community during this current health crisis, we are StillHere, StillCaring for people who need us in these challenging times.
There are so many ways that you can continue to support Pilgrims. Click here for some virtual fundraising ideas. If you would like to take on a challenge in support of Pilgrims we would love to hear from you. Please contact our fundraising team here.
We need you more than ever; our local community means everything to us.
This year alone, Pilgrims Hospices has to raise £11 million through voluntary donations in order to run our full range of services. Sponsorship raised through events like these helps us to continue caring for local people at the end of their lives.
3rd July 2020
Thanet Sunrise Rotary Club annual Big Knit
The Thanet Sunrise Rotary Club’s generous £1,000 donation comes at a time when Pilgrims Hospices really needs the support of the community of east Kent. The money has been raised through the annual community ‘Rotary Big Knit’.
Caroline Winzer from Thanet Sunrise Rotary Club said: “Each year Thanet Sunrise Rotary Club organise a very special community event; the ‘Rotary Big Knit’ which takes place in April raising thousands of pounds in just one afternoon and attended by over 150 knitters.
“Four charities are nominated each year to benefit from this one event and Pilgrims Hospice, Thanet had been one of those charities this year.
“The Club were devastated to cancel the event due to the COVID-19 crisis, but a small handful of knitters still donated or knitted in isolation and collected almost £1000.
“This generosity together with other funds already raised during the previous months enabled the club to still donate £1000. Thanet Sunrise Rotary Club meet weekly for breakfast and are pictured here at their Christmas breakfast meeting” (photo taken prior to the Covid 19 outbreak in the UK).
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager for Pilgrims Hospice Thanet said: “Our charity is facing challenging times during the COVID-19 outbreak; the Rotary Club’s very generous donation of £1,000 couldn’t have come at a better time. The past few months have been unexpectedly difficult for Pilgrims Hospices, despite this our vital work has not stopped and we still continue to provide compassionate care and support at our hospices and in the community to ensure our patients, their families and our staff are all remaining safe.”
Pilgrims has launched the Still Here; Still Caring Appeal, where the local community and businesses are making donations to support the hospices whilst the normal fundraising activities are postponed. www.pilgrimshospices.org/still-caring
In order to keep the core of event supporters interested during these difficult times, the fundraising team has launched a new virtual campaign called #StayHomeHospiceHero. This is helping our team remain engaged with our wonderful local community and offers opportunities to continue to help us from home, such as a virtual hike around the Isle of Wight in July and a Virtual Pet Show.
Karen continued: “Our care team has developed and implemented lots of change to adapt and respond to our patients needs during lockdown, they continue to deliver end-of-life services both within our inpatient units and in the community by telephone and online facilities.”
If you would like to take on a challenge in support of our charity, please contact Karen Kenward call 01843 233934 or email: [email protected] or look at Pilgrims new virtual site for ideas.
We need you more than ever, thank you.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,500 people in east Kent coming to terms with an illness that sadly cannot be cured. The charity supports patient’s to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
27th May 2020
Sandling Park gardens are virtually blooming
For the last nine years, Sandling Park has opened their spectacular gardens in support of Pilgrims Hospices, raising over £53,000. This year they have been unable to open their gardens to support us and so with the help of BBC cameraman, Kerry King, they have filmed their first ever virtual open garden.
We invite you to join our most recent #StayHomeHospiceHero inspiration, Sandling Park Virtual Open Gardens. Since May 2012 this wonderful privately-owned garden has been open to the public attracting as many as 1400 visitors on one day in May each year in aid of Pilgrims Hospices.
However this is not possible, but now, the green fingered amongst us, can tour the stunning landscape from the comfort of your own garden (or sofa) and enjoy these spectacular gardens. Click here to take part in this amazing virtual open garden experience.
Sandling Park is a Grade II listed private garden, set mainly in woodland, which once formed part of the medieval forest of Westenhanger near Hythe in Kent. It is a delightful 25-acre woodland garden with rhododendrons, camellias, magnolias (more than 200 varieties), primulas and wild flowers. The azaleas collection is considered to be one of the finest in the country. It also features 20 national champion trees, all young and rare, but perhaps the most important aspect of the collection is the population of more than 200 wild-sourced trees which still retain their collectors’ numbers.
Sandling 7
Sandling 6
Sandling 5
Sandling 4
Sandling 2
Sandling 9
We thank the family for allowing this filming to take place, Prunella Scarlett for her kind words for Pilgrims and extensive knowledge of the gardens and BBC Southeast cameraman, Kerry P King for his incredible film.
Prunella Scarlett – Sandling Park family member
As Prunella says ‘please do give’ if you would like to give a donation for virtually visiting the gardens this year you can do so here: Sandling Park Just Giving page.
The money you raise will be directly helping Pilgrims nurses, doctors and support staff who are #StillHereStillCaring for some of the most vulnerable people in east Kent during the Covid-19 outbreak.
The magnificent gardens can be seen on Pilgrims YouTube channel please do visit their stunning gardens in full bloom on our Pilgrims page, it’s a beautiful film and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the beauty of the gardens and listening to Prunella Scarlett, Sandling Park family member talking so passionately about supporting us.
This year alone, Pilgrims Hospices has to raise £11 million through voluntary donations in order to run our full range of services. Sponsorship raised through events like these helps us to continue caring for local people at the end of their lives.
20th May 2020
Golfers go above par for Pilgrims Hospices
Each year, golfers combine their love for the sport with supporting local hospice care. In 2019/20 nearly £60,000 has been raised in the most recent Captain tenures. The golf community is helping to make a big difference to patients living with a terminal illness and their families in east Kent.
With the support of club members, Captains choose a charity to raise vital funds for by organising events and setting challenges for everyone to take part in.
Pilgrims has gratefully received the support of a number of clubs recently including Chestfield GC, Whitstable and Seasalter GC, North Forelands and Ashford GC.
Canterbury Community Fundraising Manager, Leila Ilkhan said: “The generosity among clubs, members and their families is wonderful to see and evokes a fantastic sense of community spirit among clubhouses.”
It is not only golf clubs that tee off in aid of charity but also our supporters who raise vital funds on the greens. Richard Foulger, who is a long-term Pilgrims supporter and member of the Tenterden Fundraising Group hosts an annual golf day at Tenterden Golf Club.
Richard said: “Since 2008 the club has generously supported our annual golf day with many of the club members taking part, helping to raise vital funds. Over the years we’ve welcomed hundreds of supporters who enjoy a brilliant day of hospitality and cheer.”
Together, golf clubs have helped to continue providing vital palliative care across our three hospice sites and in patients’ homes and the community.
We really cannot thank you all enough.
Karen Kenward, Thanet Community Fundraising Manager
Thanet Community Fundraising Manager, Karen Kenward said: “The continued ongoing support from golf clubs is just incredible. Together, golf clubs have helped to continue providing vital palliative care across our three hospice sites and in patients’ homes and the community. We really cannot thank you all enough.”
On behalf of everyone at Pilgrims, a very special thank you to the Captains and members at:
Ashford Golf Club
Canterbury Golf Club
Chestfield Golf Club
Etchinghill Golf Club
Fountain Inn Golf Club
Hythe Golf Club
Littlestone Golf Club
North Foreland Golf Club
Rye Golf Club
Tenterden Golf Day
Whitstable and Seasalter Golf Club
Please note: All photos featured were taken before the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
20th April 2020
Rob’s head shave raises over £790 for Pilgrims Hospices
Local estate agent branch manager, Robert Lear from Oakwood Homes continues to fundraise for his local Pilgrims Hospices charity in spite of the current lockdown conditions. Rob’s spontaneous head shave has raised over £790 for vital end of life care within the community.
The ‘brave shave’ took place earlier this month at Rob’s and his partner Rebecca’s home in Ramsgate. At the prospect of keeping his locks well-groomed during these difficult times, Rob decided a head shave would be a good option and an opportunity to raise some funds for Pilgrims Still Here, Still Caring campaign by asking friends, family and colleagues to sponsor his daring deed.
Pilgrims is a charity very close to my heart.
Rob Lear
Rob who turns 35 later this month said: “Pilgrims is a charity very close to my heart, I have known friends who have been cared for by the hospice and I wanted to show my appreciation for everything they do; they really do a great job.
Rob before his brave shave
“I would just like to thank everyone who supported me and donated towards this amazing charity. Pilgrims Hospices go above and beyond to help and care for our loved ones. I’m delighted with the amount raised from the head shave.
“Thank you everyone and, stay safe.”
Rob is a regular Pilgrims supporter and has taken on challenges that have included charity go karting and chest waxing in the past. During lockdown he’s busy doing lots of cooking with Rebecca and enjoying Bluebell; their 7-month-old golden retriever dog.
Karen Kenward, Pilgrims Thanet Community Fundraising Manager said: “We are most grateful for the incredible people like Rob who continue to fundraise for our charity while in lockdown. It means we can continue to provide support for those who need our care the most within the community.
“It costs £20 to provide each hour of nursing care; Rob and his supporters have helped provide just over 39 hours to the next person who needs us. Thank you to each and every one of you that made a donation to make this possible and, most of all thank you Rob for taking on this challenge.”
There are so many ways you can continue to support Pilgrims, even from your homes. Visit the Pilgrims website for some virtual challenges and become a #StayHomeHospiceHero and help to make a difference from your home.
We need you more than ever; our local community means everything to us.
Thank you.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,400 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. To offer these services charity must raise £11 million each year from the generous local community.
