Kent Keep Fit Association present funds for Pilgrims
Kent Keep Fit Association (KFA) recently celebrated sixty diamond years, supporting Pilgrims Hospices throughout 2019 and onwards to 2020.
The Kent Keep Fit Association has been raising money for two much loved local charities throughout 2019; Pilgrims Hospices in east Kent and Ellenor Hospice in north and west Kent. They held their 60th AGM planned for 14 March and as the time grew nearer so did the fears over the coronavirus and whether the AGM should go ahead. After frantic communication between the executive committee and teachers, it was decided at the last minute to proceed but with the decision to attend solely down to individuals.
Approximately 120 people attended, and many comments were received to thank the committee for proceeding with what was a most enjoyable day, even with some added challenges to protect attendees with lots sanitising liquid and rubber gloves, as health and wellbeing was at the forefront of everyone’s minds.
The members have been raising funds for the local charities supporting end of life care in Kent and activities included sponsored walks, collections at the classes and other community initiatives.
The local groups together with the county and regional teams performed 10 wonderful routines with uplifting music which had the audience clapping along and singing.
June Bryant sent everyone home with a smile as she got everyone on the floor for a finale dance to Abba’s “Dancing Queen”. It was a very uplifting afternoon of fitness, friendship and fun (which sums up the KFA in a nutshell)!
Kate Duddell, Fundraising Manager for Pilgrims Hospices said: “It was a lovely afternoon, even practicing my own dancing skills when I joined in the finale of Dancing Queen. I can’t thank the Kent Keep Fit Association enough for choosing Pilgrims Hospices as one of their Charities of the Year in 2019 and I was even more thrilled to find out we will also be the same chosen charities for 2020. I’ll keep practicing my dancing for the next AGM.”
Kate added: “We would like to thank all those who have step by dancing step raised an incredible £1,500 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 £20 could pay for nursing care, either on our wards or in a patient’s own home, so the funds raised through our community’s own events, such as these are vital to the work Pilgrims Hospices does across east Kent.”
Jackie Winder, Hon Secretary, Kent KFA, said: “Kent KFA were so lucky to be able to hold our AGM and we were very pleased to welcome Kate from Pilgrim’s Hospices and Melissa from Ellenor Hospice and be able to present our fundraising cheques to them. Kent KFA has a long tradition of raising money for charity and has chosen Pilgrims and Ellenor again for their annual charities. Our teachers and class members are an inspiration in their fundraising efforts and we sincerely hope that the sponsored walk, which is organised for July this year, can go ahead as planned. “
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.
9th April 2020
The Heath family raise charity cheer in back garden
Richard and Joanne Heath from Herne Bay built a bar in their back garden, aptly named The Four Heath Clover. They started fundraising for Pilgrims Hospices along with friends and family who visited, in memory of Jo’s sister Julie Beal. The couple have raised £262 in the past 12 months and almost £700 since 2017 for the charity that is very close to their hearts.
Joanne’s sister Julie was cared for at Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury, after her long battle with cancer, she passed away in March 2010 aged 46 years.
We understand the importance of fundraising for this great cause.
Jo Heath
Jo said: “Having seen and experienced how well Julie was cared for in her final week with Pilgrims, we understand the importance of fundraising for this great cause. We have always been a family that love to take part in events to raise money for charity and have taken part in Pilgrims charity events and also play Pilgrims Lottery to support end of life care within our community.”
She added: “We built our home bar ‘The Four Heath Clover’ and held various fundraising days such as sports days, horse racing, ladies only and gents’ only nights. Everyone who attended always gave generously. Julie was a much loved sister, daughter, mum and auntie; she was always the life and soul of a family gathering.
“We do this in memory of Julie and to raise money to help Pilgrims Hospices to continue the wonderful work they do for the east Kent community.”
Leila Ilkhan, Pilgrims Community Fundraising Manager, said: “It was lovely to meet Richard and Jo and to thank them personally for their support in such an ingenious and creative way.
“They also generously have a Pilgrims collection pot on their bar for extra fundraising, we are extremely grateful to everyone who makes a contribution.
Thank you for supporting in such an ingenious and creative way.
Leila Ilkhan, Pilgrims Hospices
“I think this is a great bit of fundraising and I would love to share to hopefully inspire others to think about how they could fundraise for Pilgrims.”
Please note: This fundraising took place before the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you would like to fundraise for Pilgrims Hospices in the future,the fundraising team would love to hear from you. Although much of our current fundraising activities are paused due to COVID-19, there are many ways you can still support the charity, including joining Pilgrims Lottery, giving a one-off donationor planning an event for later on this year. We hope, that in time, supporters will be filled with positive spirit and ready to think about how they can get involved when we can all join together again in creative ways such as The Four Heath Clover.
Thank you again. Your support is very much appreciated!
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.
6th April 2020
Thanet Police Theatre Club raises £4,400 for Pilgrims Hospices
The annual pantomime production from the Thanet Police Theatre Club panto has raised an incredible £4,400 for Pilgrims Hospices care.
Cast members from the magical and hugely entertaining ‘Wizard from Auss’ met with Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager for Pilgrims Hospice Thanet to celebrate the fantastic donation in support of the much-loved local hospice.
Martin Luke Douglas, the production co-director said: “Pilgrims Hospices is an important part of our community, we know our donation will be contributing to vital services for local people. I would like to thank everyone for continuing to support them at such difficult times for all of us.”
Karen said: “Each year the Police Theatre Club pantos are such great entertainment for the whole family. This year, it was even more special for me, it was my favourite.
“I would like to give a special mention to the most talented Jeff Barker, who played the scarecrow; what a wonderful performance, he’s so talented and the character was surreal!
“I have to say the whole cast were absolutely brilliant. I cannot wait to see next year’s Jack and the Beanstalk production.”
Pilgrims Hospices send hearty congratulations to the Theatre Club for giving such a brilliant performance and grateful thanks for this generous donation. The hospices are dependant on the local community to help support end-of-life care services; without them, we simply wouldn’t be here.
Please note: All photos featured were taken before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Care is provided from three hospice sites in Thanet, Canterbury and Ashford, 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.
10th March 2020
Where’s Wally?
The annual Paws 4 Pilgrims fundraising dog walk will take place on Sunday 29 March in Deal. Tara Baltera from Margate with her daughter Lily are taking part, they will be walking Wally, the 5-year-old Dalmatian on the 5km walk along Deal’s beautiful coastline.
The gorgeous spotty dog is a rescue dog from Dalmatian Welfare and belongs to Tara’s friend Paul who will be joining them for their Sunday morning stroll to support end-of-life care within the local community.
By supporting our event you are helping to raise important funds and to help people to live well in every moment.
Karen Kenward, Pilgrims Hospices
Tara said: “We don’t have a dog ourselves and Lily loves dogs; we often take Wally out for walks, she’s wonderful company and enjoys lots of exercise, so it’s good for all of us.
Lily and Wally
“We enjoy supporting local good causes and this particular event is always such a lovely day. We always stay for the dog show after the walk and have a number of rosettes to show for it! Lily enjoyed winning dog most like its owner.”
Lily and Wally at Paws 4 Pilgrims
The walk takes the dogs and their walking buddies along the Deal coastline towards Walmer before returning. After the walk, there’s a fun dog show with lots of classes for furry friends to take part in. Could your dog be the ‘fastest sausage catcher’?
Come along and watch, there will be refreshments and stalls to enjoy too, it’s a great day out for the whole family.
Karen Kenward, Pilgrims Community Fundraising Manager at the Thanet hospice said: “It will be great to see Wally and her friends again this year. There are lots of our regular Paws 4 Pilgrims supporters registered and many new to the event too.
“By supporting our event you are helping to raise important funds and to help people to live well in every moment.”
You can register to take part here or come along and register on the day.
Event information
8.30am: Registration opens
10.30am – 12pm: 5k walk along the Deal coastal route
12pm – 3.30pm: Fun dog and agility shows
Entry prices
Early bird entry (closes 15/03/2020)
12 years and over: £8 / 11 years and under: £4 / Family: £20*
Standard entry (closes 22/03/2020) and on the day entry
12 years and over: £10 / 11 years and under: £6 / Family: £30*
* Family entry includes two people of 12 years and over plus two people of 11 years and under.
Fun dog and agility shows
There will be a fun dog and agility show after the walk, which dogs can be entered into for £2 per class or £1 per class for those who have entered the walk.
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 care on its wards, in people’s own homes and through the Wellbeing Programme held in Pilgrims Therapy Centres.
14th February 2020
Charity calendar sells out for second year running
Over the past two years, two local residents from Bridge, Sharon Arnold and Amanda Hills have worked tirelessly to create a calendar of the village. They asked local residents to send them photos of the village and surrounding areas. Over the past two years calendar sales have raised £1977.36 for Pilgrims Hospices.
Sharon Arnold said: “Amanda and myself decided to create a calendar for 2019, local residents who were keen to share their photos of Bridge were invited to contribute images.
“Once we had gained sponsorship from the Red Lion pub we then decided we would like to support Pilgrims with the proceeds of calendar sales.
“The hospices are an important part of our community, they have touched the lives of so many of our friends, neighbours and those within the wider community. This year we have been wonderfully supported by members of the village and would like to thank everyone for buying the calendars and helping us to help even more people who need end of life care.
“A huge thank you to Ralph Lombart, Marie Lockley and everyone who kindly donated.”
Jo Harris, Community Fundraiser for Pilgrims Hospices Canterbury said: “We are so very grateful for the continued support from the sales of the Bridge calendar. It’s wonderful to see residents and local businesses pulling together to make the calendar a success and supporting Pilgrims so generously. The amazing donation will help Pilgrims to continue being there for patients and their families, when and where they need us.”
If you are feeling inspired by Amanda and Sharon’s fundraising story and feel that you would like to organise a fundraising event in your local area, please email [email protected] for more information.
Pilgrims Hospices cares for more than 2,400 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.
The Ship Centurion sails in with 10K charity cheque
The Ship Centurion pub, on Whitstable High Street has been raising funds for Pilgrims Hospices. Landlord Roland Burks recently presented the hospice with an amazing cheque for £10,000, generously donated by his customers and staff over the past 18 months.
The traditional German pub has a long history stretching back to 1750; its well-established group of regular customers and staff were asked to nominate a local charity to support and, Pilgrims won by clear majority.
Visitors to the pub have been taking part in Sunday meat raffles, with a chance to win a selection of prizes from local vendor Jim’s Family Butchers. They’ve been busy pub quizzing, guessing the lottery bonus ball, taking part in a wide variety of raffles and activities throughout the year not to mention the sales of the locally famous Armin Arse rippers! (Spicy pickled eggs and onions).
We wish to say a huge thank you to Roland, his staff and customers.
Jo Harris, Community Fundraising Officer
Landlord Roland said: “Pilgrims Hospices was clearly the favourite local charity to support. Many of my customers have been touched by Pilgrims care, they speak so highly of the care and support received by loved ones and their families.
“We are delighted to have raised such a large total, our pub has a well-established group of regulars and we are very proud to nurture a real sense of community.”
Jo Harris, Pilgrims Canterbury Community Fundraising Officer said: “We wish to say a huge thank you to Roland, his staff and customers at the Ship Centurion for choosing to support Pilgrims Hospices.
“It is lovely to see the community supporting Pilgrims so generously, this will help us continue being there for patients and their families, when and where they need us.”
If you are feeling inspired by the Ship Centurion and would like to find out more information about the many ways you could support Pilgrims Hospices, please contact [email protected].
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 support patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
