The Fanneran-Mullins family melt hearts with Chocolate Oranges for Pilgrims Hospices
A Chocolate Orange treat for staff on all three Pilgrims Hospices sites was delivered by the Fanneran-Mullins family last week. As part of Team Chocolate Orange, Kevin Mullins, Katrina Fanneran-Mullins and their children have been collecting donated oranges from local schools and organisations to bring Christmas cheer. It’s their way of sending a much-deserved thank you for providing essential services 365 days a year, caring for those in need and their loved ones, and for always being there when they are needed.
The children, Ethan Fanneran-Burley, from year eight St. Anselm’s Catholic School, Kaitlyn Fanneran-Mullins, from year three and Cohen Fanneran-Mullins, from year one whom both attend Bridge and Patrixbourne CEP school arrived with boxes of chocolate treasure for the Pilgrims staff. The treats were donated by both schools, Faversham Town Walking Football, St. Stephens Golf Society, and the Royal Mail Whitstable and Herne Bay delivery offices.
The Team Chocolate Orange campaign was started by Chris Lamb, whose son, Elliott, spent a lot of time in hospital and very sadly passed away just before Christmas 2010, aged just four years old. The following year Chris decided he wanted to do something positive to cherish Elliott’s memory and Team Chocolate Orange was born. Seeing the campaign as a way to turn a negative into a positive, Chris embarked on a mission to thank NHS staff for all they did and decided to give a Chocolate Orange to as many of them as he could.
Having started in St. Helens, Merseyside in 2011 with 145 Chocolate Oranges, the campaign, now running in areas from Newcastle to London, has resulted in over 100,000 donated Chocolate Oranges being gifted to deserving recipients.
Kevin said: “With the unparalleled pressure brought about by COVID-19 on the NHS, emergency services, and care settings, we were even more determined to spread gratitude and gift appreciation under the banner of Team Chocolate Orange here in Kent. Personally, we have the extra motivation of the importance of the NHS in our own lives, as they continue to play an invaluable role in our son Ethan’s care. He is under the lifetime care of Great Ormond Street Hospital and we are excited at the prospect of sharing some joy and thanks with those who support people with the greatest need.
“My family is honoured to have joined Team Chocolate Orange and have been collecting donations of Chocolate Oranges over the past fortnight.
“It was lovely to meet with some of the Pilgrims team, the kids loved dropping off the Chocolate Oranges and were really excited that the staff will arrive at work to be greeted by a festive confectionery.”
Leila Ilkhan, Pilgrims community fundraising manager said: “On behalf of everyone at Pilgrims Hospices I would like to say a very big thank you to you for thinking of our charity and delivering chocolate oranges for our staff to enjoy.
“It is heart-warming to see people in our community wanting to spread some joy and I look forward to sharing your token of gratitude with our nurses, doctors and wider clinical teams over the next couple of days.
“Team Chocolate Orange has started something truly fantastic and it is wonderful that you are bringing this to Kent to continue this generous act of giving.”
Pilgrims supports thousands of patients and their families in east Kent each year. The charity has faced huge challenges over the last 18 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The gift of a chocolate orange to each of the team will no doubt be enjoyed with a cup of tea on tea breaks and lunch times. Pilgrims wish to thank Kevin, Katrina and their children for such a thoughtful gesture and would like to wish them a very merry Christmas.
You can keep up to date with Team Chocolate Orange on Facebook and Twitter.
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.
5th November 2021
New online Christmas auction for Pilgrims Hospices
Pilgrims Hospices will be holding a new online auction this festive season to help raise money for hospice care across east Kent.
There are over 60 fantastic lots to bid on to help raise money for people facing a life limiting illness. There’s a huge selection of items on offer, including:
Overnight stays
Days out
Perfume
Hampers
Vouchers
Games
Ladies accessories
Gifts
Plus many more!
The auction will run for three weeks going live on Friday 12 November 2021 and will close on Friday 3 December 2021. Bidding couldn’t be more accessible or easier by going to: jumblebee.co.uk/pilgrimshospiceschristmasauction
Ashford Fundraising Manager, Louise Newman said: “It’s the perfect opportunity to buy Christmas presents for loved ones or treat yourself to something, knowing all the money raised will be helping us care for our patients and their families.”
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.
The Provincial Grand Lodges of Mark Master Masons of Kent have supported Pilgrims Hospices with an incredible £16,000 donation from their Mark Benevolent Fund (split between Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury £5,000, Pilgrims Hospice Thanet £5,000 and Pilgrims Hospice Ashford £6,000). Sixteen Mark lodges in the Province nominated Pilgrims Hospices to receive £1,000 from their lodge.
The donation, which is part of the Major Capital Grant of £1.3m to over 250 hospices in England, Wales, Channel Islands and Isle of Man, recognises the contribution made by HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh to the service of the Crown and the life of the nation.
The first presentation of the day for £5,000 was made to the Pilgrims Hospice in Thanet and was attended by Ralph Apperley, Neil Drakley, Peter Jenkins and Reg Pritchard representing, Holmesdale 129, Granville 390, Sandwich Haven 796, St Peter in Thanet 1053 and Ramsgate 1073 Mark lodges.
The second presentation for £5,000 was made to the Pilgrims Hospice in Canterbury and was attended by Peter Dowling, Bob Mitchell, Cliff Norris, Tony Lay and Peter Lapage who represented, Dover and Cinque Ports 152, St Marin’s 262, Herne Bay 771, Whitstable 983 and Cantwara-Byrig 1168 Mark lodges.
The third presentation for £6,000 was made to the Pilgrims Hospice in Ashford and was attended by James Stretton, Peter West, Peter Dowling and Colin Griffiths who represented Amherst 266, Invicta 378, Folkestone 380, Crane 1157 and Romney Marsh 1417 Mark lodges.
Sue Sharp, Director of Income Generation of Pilgrims Hospices welcomed the donation by saying:
“It was an absolute pleasure to welcome members from the The Provincial Grand Lodges of Mark Master Masons of Kent who all came together to support their local Pilgrims Hospices by visiting each hospices garden. The past year has been very challenging for Pilgrims, like for many of us, so it is with deep gratitude that we have received such a generous donation which will help ensure we are able to continue providing our compassionate care and support to our patients and their families in our hospices or in the community, even in difficult times.”
W.Bro. Martyn Summers, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master for Kent summed up the day with the following quote:
“We are absolutely delighted that sixteen Mark lodges chose to support the Pilgrims Hospices located in Thanet, Canterbury and Ashford. We are all aware of the toll that the pandemic has taken on charities across the country and hope that this small gift will go some way to help enhance patient care and provide improved facilities for those in need and their families.”
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.
24th August 2021
Local solicitors Boys & Maughan join in the Colour Run fun
Many supporters have already signed up to run, jog or walk along the cliff tops of Palm Bay, Cliftonville, Margate on Sunday 26 September to raise vital funds to support end of life care in the local area.
Participants will take part in a 5k run with locations along the route where coloured powders are thrown over the runners.
Pilgrims supporters local Boys and Maughan solicitors, will be taking part again in this fun-packed event by entering their staff team. Karen Kenward, Pilgrims Community Fundraising Manager said: “It’s great to have the Boys and Maughan team with us again, they’ve taken part in the event in previous years and have been regular supporters of Pilgrims Hospices for some time now. Thank you so much for your continued support.”
“We really like how people of all ages and fitness levels can join in. Some of our staff plan to walk part or all of the way, or jog very slowly, and they know that this doesn’t matter.
Ian Priston, Boys & Maughan Solicitors
Ian Priston from Boys and Maughan Solicitors said: “Taking part in the Colour Run means a lot to us at Boys and Maughan. There are 13 of our staff taking part, and we hope to increase our sponsorship total we achieved when we last joined in back in 2018.
“Our team is thoroughly looking forward to being part of the day and getting covered in powdered coloured paints from head to toe. Adding colour to the run makes it a lot more fun and is sure to provide some great photo opportunities for families and friends who are planning to watch.
“We really like how people of all ages and fitness levels can join in. Some of our staff plan to walk part or all of the way, or jog very slowly, and they know that this doesn’t matter.
“Most people in east Kent have had some personal experience of the support Pilgrims Hospices provides to individuals and families. There can be no doubt that it makes a huge contribution to the community, so we are always on the lookout for ways in which we can raise money for the hospice or lend a helping hand.”
This spectacular family fun event has raised over £159,500 for the charity since it began in 2016.
Karen continued: “The event was so popular, we simply had to offer our supporters an opportunity to take part again. What a great fun way to restart the roll out of our fundraising events here in Thanet, raising important funds for hospice care locally.
Everyone will receive a running number, white t-shirt, funky colourful glasses and a colour sachet on the day. Be prepared to get messy. You can purchase extra powdered colour 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 26 September, with the fun starting at 11.30am.
Registration is open and will cost £20 for adults and £15 for under 11s until Sunday 5 September, thereafter on the day prices will apply.
Photo (left to right): Ian Priston, Emma Moor, Chloe Louca, Mollie Telford, Beverley Thomas, Kelly Ashton and Paula Patton.
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.
18th August 2021
Pilgrims Garden Festival brought summer fun for all the family
On Sunday 15 August 2021, Pilgrims Hospices hosted a brand-new event within the stunning grounds of Mount Ephraim, Faversham.
The Pilgrims Garden Festival brought local food and drink producers, plant sellers and crafters together in the market area celebrating local businesses from across east Kent.
With something for everyone, people of all ages came along to shop and discover everything from plants, flowers and local wines to hand-made jewellery and textile plant pots! When the shopping was finished, visitors enjoyed a game or two on the coconut shy or tombola before relaxing in the tea party with a cream tea or slice of cake.
Visitors were left inspired after watching The Nightingale Garden demo on how to create a beautiful hand-tied bouquet, followed by a wine tasting hosted by Clive from Corkk – the English wine specialists.
Canterbury Community Fundraising Manager Leila Ilkhan said: “We are delighted that our first ever Pilgrims Garden Festival was enjoyed so much by visitors, volunteers and local businesses. After so long not being able to hold events, it was great to welcome the community to come together to support their local hospice.”
The day finished with a magic show for all the family hosted by Stuart Weller Magic that left visitors marvelling over his tricks.
A big thank you to our headline sponsors Canterbury Suzuki and to all the other local businesses and volunteers who helped make this event such a huge success, raising nearly £9,500 in vital funds for Pilgrims Hospices.
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.
17th August 2021
All the fun of the fair
The weather didn’t dampen the fun at the annual Pilgrims Summer Fair held on Saturday 7 August.
Visitors braved the rain at The Farriers Arms in Mersham, which was a new venue for 2021.
Hundreds of people still attended to show their support for the local charity who care for people and their families facing an incurable illness. Over £11,500 has been raised so far with the figure still rising.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Ashford, Cllr Callum Knowles and Cllr Dr Lisa Lovelidge came to show their support for Pilgrims and the much-loved traditional fair. Deirdre Mewse, Pilgrims Fundraising Officer for the Ashford hospice said: “The Mayor and Mayoress were delightful and, despite the showers, between the sunshine they took time to speak with many of our volunteers who do such much to help with our events, along with visitors who came to join in with all the fun of the fair.”
The Mayor and Mayoress of Ashford, Cllr Callum Knowle and Cllr Dr Lisa Lovelidge with Deirdre Mewse, Fundraising Officer (Pilgrims Hospice Ashford)
Over 75 volunteers helped run a selection of stalls, activities and games on the day. There were old favourites including Bottle Fishing, The Beer Slide and new games to try including Tin Can Alley and The Paper Plane Game.
Visitors were offered a selection of delicious refreshments including afternoon teas, hog roast and Pimm’s. Faversham Ices were also there volunteering and serving a host of different ice creams.
We’re so pleased that we were able to run our much-loved fair this year.
Louise Newman, Community Fundraising Manager
Magician Geoff Partner and Katie Parker-Green from Once Upon A Dream Parties also gave up their time to help entertain visitors.
Many local companies showed their support. Hallett & Co Solicitors in Ashford donated a TV for the Grand Draw, along with The Tiger Inn in Stowting who donated a £100 voucher for the Grand Draw.
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Ashford Fundraising Manager Louise Newman said: “We’re so pleased that we were able to run our much-loved fair this year. It was great to be back holding a family event in the community we care for, whilst raising much needed funds for the hospices. Despite the challenging weather we still had a great day and we’re so grateful for all the support we received.
“Whether you volunteered on the day, donated prizes or spent your money at the fair, your contribution is extremely valued and appreciated.
“Special thanks to landlords Lindsey Best and John Hockley from The Farriers Arms who donated use of their field and supported the event from start to finish.”
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.
