Held on Thursday 24October, Elham Christmas Market took place at Elham Village Hall in support of Pilgrims Hospices. Once again this much-loved event was a resounding success, attracting over 500 visitors and raising an incredible £2902.38 towards the work of the hospice.
Carol Stevens has been organising the Christmas market for over 14 years. She said: “We want to continue to support Pilgrims because it is a local charity which sadly, all too many of us have had some personal experience. We just know they do a fabulous job supporting people when they are most in need and feel it to be a very worthy cause.
“I started the event on my own, but do get support from lovely local people, who either bake or offer to go on the rota for the door or in the kitchen. The team from the hospice also help with set up and signage to make sure everything runs smoothly.”
Entry is just £1 and, with over 35 stalls offering unique and special Christmas gifts selling everything from beeswax wrap to jewellery, handmade Christmas cards and decorations, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Local resident Gill Ramsey secures fabulous raffle prizes ranging from afternoon tea at the Ritz, Eurostar tickets, festive chocolates and Pandora jewellery, many local organisations and companies support the fair with donations for the raffle and refreshments.
The support Pilgrims receive each year from Carol and her team of volunteers helps us continue being there for patients and their families, when and where they need us.
Jo Harris, Community Fundraising Officer
Pilgrims Hospices volunteers and the local village community were on hand to help to set up the venue, baking cakes and ensuring homemade mince pies and festive mulled wine was available in abundance.
Jo Harris, Canterbury Community Fundraising Officer for Pilgrims Hospices said:
“The support Pilgrims receive each year from Carol and her team of volunteers helps us continue being there for patients and their families, when and where they need us.
“It is lovely to see the community pull together and support the event. We would also like to say a huge thank you all the staff and volunteers who made the day happen.”
A date for your diary: This year’s date for the Elham Christmas Market is confirmed as Thursday 29 October 2020.
If you are feeling inspired by Elham Christmas market and would like to organise a market or a fundraising event in your local area then please get in touch with [email protected] for more 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 click here to read about our Wellbeing Programme.
25th June 2019
Hundreds walk the Pilgrims Way for hospice care
Wye, Canterbury and Dover were buzzing with cheerful voices on Saturday 22 June as more than 600 happy walkers gathered on the Pilgrims Way Challenge charity fundraising walk.
Early estimations are that the event will raise more than £90,000 for Pilgrims Hospices!
Walkers enjoyed a 25km 35km or 55km hike through the beautiful rural countryside along one of England’s oldest and least trodden national trails. Young and old alike took to the rolling fields and picturesque villages along the Pilgrims Way to the historic city of Canterbury and onwards to a coastal finish at Dover Castle.
The Pilgrims sponsored walkers collectively walked over 21,500km between them, the equivalent of walking from Land’s End to John O’Groats more than five times!
In true Pilgrims style, walkers were supported throughout the journey with well-stocked rest stops where walkers could take a welcome break in the grounds of some of Kent’s amazing and historic churches. Delicious cakes, sandwiches and strawberry teas were a welcome treat at Chartham Hatch and a hot meal at the Canterbury hospice for walkers who were finishing the 25km route. For those who undertook the 35km and 55km routes, Pilgrims staff and volunteers welcomed the walkers with snacks and treats in Patrixbourne, Womenswold and Waldershare before reaching their final destination and a hot supper at Dover Castle.
Every walker is an inspriation and it’s our pleasure to support them every step of the way.
Robert Grew, Pilgrims Hospices
All participants received a medal in recognition of their fantastic achievement.
Robert Grew, Pilgrims Events Manager, said: “It was incredible to see so many people turning out to walk the Pilgrims Way Challenge in support of our end-of-life care. It was an enjoyable but tough day for all, especially with how warm it was in the sun, and with a bit of determination, the finish was finally reached.
“Every single walker is an inspiration and it’s our pleasure to support them every step of the way on the challenge as they raise vital funds for Pilgrims Hospices. The money they raise enables Pilgrims to continue caring for more than 2,400 people and their families each year, providing comfort, alleviating pain and enabling them to live well in the time they have.
“Our thanks go to everyone who took part in making the Pilgrims Way Challenge such a success – including our fantastic team of volunteers!”
The Pilgrims Way Challenge will return on Saturday 20 June 2020.
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.
18th June 2019
Snooker cues pot cash for Pilgrims
Ashford business owner Paul Wright raised £475 for Pilgrims Hospices care when he raffled two ‘top of the range’ snooker cues from his shop Cuephoria.
Paul said: “My dad Michael was cared for at Pilgrims Hospice Ashford over 4 years ago. He had complex health conditions which included cancer, MS and diabetes. He had been unwell for a number of years; then came to Pilgrims for respite care, where the team was able to spend time reviewing his extensive list of medication which in turn helped him to manage his conditions more easily.
I felt this was a good opportunity to do some fundraisng for such an important local charity.
Paul Wright
“Dad was 64 when he passed away, he was made to feel relaxed and comfortable at Pilgrims and the family remembers fondly how he spoke of taking great pleasure in a comfortable leisurely bath, something that he’d been unable to enjoy for some time, it made him very happy.”
“My passion for snooker gave rise to Cuephoria in July 2018. With such good contacts with top cue makers and a really supportive bank of customers, I felt this was a good opportunity to do some fundraising for such an important charity, doing such good work within our community.”
Paul sold raffle tickets to his visiting customers, the local pool league and on his Facebook site. In no time the tickets had been sold as far afield as Scotland.
“It was lovely to see some of the comments people left saying what a great prize and a great charity to support, I’m so pleased with the sum raised for Pilgrims,” Paul added.
Paul met with Isabel Smith, Pilgrims Community Fundraiser, recently to hand over the cheque. She said: “We would like to thank Paul for his fundraising efforts, it has been lovely to hear his kind words about the care Michael received.
“The £475 will go towards valuable nursing hours for patients we are caring for now.”
If you would like to fundraise for Pilgrims Hospices, please email [email protected] or find the contact details of your local fundraising office here.
Pilgrims Hospices cares for more than 2,300 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 June 2019
Herne WI’s donation with a difference
Members from the Herne Women’s Institute visited Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury with baskets and boxes of wonderful toiletries to donate.
The gifts have been collected by the WI group members since January and have been generously given to Pilgrims to support the fundraising team in raising important funds for hospice care. The community-based organisation for women celebrates its 100th year in east Kent with countless charitable acts undertaken and friendships made.
Mary Jewiss, Sheila Trewinnard, and Jane Heminway brought along the donations which were gratefully received by Pilgrims fundraising team, Leila Ilkhan and Lydia Todd, and Hospice Services Manager, Adrian Matthews.
Mary from the WI said: “We’re very pleased to support our local Pilgrims hospice, it is such a well-known and much-loved local charity which touches the hearts of so many of us.
“The response from our members to our appeal was amazing, we were all able to make a contribution and we’re very happy knowing our gifts will really help to make a difference to people who need Pilgrims care.”
The ladies were delightful and so enthusiasic about supporting Pilgrims.
Lydia – Pilgrims Hospices
Mary explained: “The group meets once a month, it’s a great way to make new friends and socialise but more importantly being part of an organisation that helps within the community is very special.
“We love to catch up with tea and a good natter and keep ourselves busy knitting, baking, crafting and so much more while sharing time with friends.”
Lydia Todd, Pilgrims Community Fundraising Officer, said: “The ladies were delightful and so enthusiastic about supporting Pilgrims. The lovely collection of toiletries is a wonderful addition to our tombola parcels for the Canterbury Vintage Tea and Fair, which will take place on Sunday 21 July in the Westgate Gardens in Canterbury.
“We hope the Vintage Tea will attract lots of visitors to come and enjoy a leisurely afternoon with music and refreshments, gifts and so much more. The support from the WI ladies will help us to raise even more money on the day.
“We wish to send a huge thank you to all of the WI ladies from Herne for helping us with their generous gifts. We hope to see some of you in the beautiful Westgate Gardens for our summer tea party with a vintage twist.”
We are planning to support Pilgrims with some good home-made baking for Vintage Tea.
Jane – Herne WI
WI member Jane said: “The three of us are now retired, and enjoy having time to dedicate to the Women’s Institute key campaigns and initiatives. We are planning to support Pilgrims with some good home-made baking for Vintage Tea.”
If you would like to find out more about supporting a fundraising activity, volunteering to help at the Vintage Tea or baking a cake to be sold at the cream tea and cakes Vintage Tea cafe, please call Lydia or Leila 01227 812 621 or email [email protected].
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 here to read about our Wellbeing and Social Programme.
30th May 2019
It’s a Knockout came to Ramsgate
Supporters enjoyed Pilgrims Hospices It’s a Knockout event at Government Acre, Ramsgate on Sunday 19 May 2019.
The Thanet hospice fundraising team has run this much-loved event for the past seven years; generating vital funds for hospice care and an opportunity for friends, families and local businesses to take on some crazy antics and compete against each team for that most important winner’s medal.
Teams took part in the hilarious bouncy obstacle courses, wet and dry challenges as well as fancy dress, each team taking a chance and playing their joker cards to win top points. The laughter was infectious as the teams competed to win while supporting the much-loved local charity.
You are all deserving winners to us, thank you for a wonderful day.
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager
Teams from around the area took part including SPH Charity Team (Spencer Private Hospitals) from Margate. They supported the event again because each member of the team has known someone who has been supported by Pilgrims Hospices.
The English Roses team said: “We took part to help raise vital funds to help support the amazing care provided at Pilgrims Hospices; one of our team members, Maxine White, is a Health Care Assistant (HCA) at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet, what a brilliant day we’ve had.”
Nicola Williams, team captain of Nic’s Knockouts from Ramsgate, said: “We love this event and so want to win this year; I have also made a joker this year of Donald Trump.”
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager and organiser of the event, said: “This really is a fun event with many supporters returning each year, some of the jokers are hilarious.
“I would like to thank everyone who attended either by taking part, sponsoring their team members, spectators who came along to cheer the teams, the staff and volunteers for helping run our fun stalls, Margate ambulance, catering teams and our very own Knockout team members, and to those who made or dressed up as mascots to help their teams double points.
“Your wonderful support will enable us to continue to provide palliative care for the next person who needs it, both within the hospice and at home. Last year the event raised an incredible £16,400. Early indications show that this year’s event has raised around £5,000 with further sponsorship still to come in.”
Karen added: “It costs just over £6,800 a day to run each of our three hospice inpatient units, so community support from events like this makes a huge difference to our charity.
The winning team was Nic’s Knockouts (they did it, so competitive) and runners up were Broadstairs Business Club and The Wibbly Wobbly Marauders, with team English Roses coming in the last place and receiving wooden spoons.
“Everyone who supported the event received a medal from Pilgrims Hospices, whatever place they finished, as a huge thank you for taking part. You are all deserving winners to us, thank you for a wonderful day.”
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.
17th May 2019
Local fundraising group raises thousands for hospice care
The Bramling Fundraising Group based in Canterbury has once again excelled in its fundraising for Pilgrims, raising £11,600 during 2018 for local hospice care and taking its total to over £78,000!
The group was formed in 2003 when locals Kim and Jo Tatman, who were new to the village of Bramling, decided to bring back some community spirit by organising a local village fete. Pilgrims was the local cause they chose to fundraise for.
Kim, Group Coordinator, said: “Bramling village didn’t appear to have any events when we arrived and so between us and our neighbours we set about planning a village fete. It was clear that Pilgrims is a cause that is close to so many people’s hearts so we knew it would be a deserving cause to support.”
We are all determined to continue our support and we hope to reach the magic milestone of £100,000.
Kim Tatman, Bramling Fundraising Group
Over the last 15 years, their fundraising has grown and the variety of fundraising activities organised include race nights, produce shows, quiz nights, Elvis nights and lots more.
Leila Ilkhan, Pilgrims Hospices Community Fundraising Manager, said: “We are overwhelmed by the support that Kim, Jo and their friends in the Bramling Fundraising Group give to Pilgrims each year. It is great to see a community work together for one cause with so much passion and energy.
“As the group go into their 16th year, we hear that a skydive might be on the cards as well as sponsored runs, walks and garden parties!”
Kim added: “We are all determined to continue our support and we hope to reach the magic milestone of £100,000 in a couple of years.”
If you are inspired by the Bramling Fundraising Group and feel that you would like to start a fundraising group in your local area, please get in touch with Leila Ilkhan for more information: [email protected].
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.
