As we look forward to longer and warmer days ahead, we’re excited to share news of our upcoming events and bring you heartwarming and inspirational news from across Pilgrims.
Local charities unite for sustainability: We’ve teamed up with fellow local charity, Canterbury Umbrella, to make a meaningful difference in our east Kent community
Making every donation count: Our Retail team turns donations into compassionate care for individuals and families across east Kent
Pilgrims Hospice Thanet refurbishment: Our Thanet hospice has undergone an extensive refurbishment, improving accessibility and facilities for patients, families and staff
Nourishing body and soul: Our catering team create comforting, high-quality food that brings warmth and a sense of normality to all who walk through our hospice doors
Kevin and Dympna’s story of hope: After meeting at a Pilgrims Hospices bereavement support group, Kevin and Dympna share how life continues after bereavement and throughout grief, and how they now support Pilgrims in several ways, including by dedicating sunflowers at Sunflower Memories
Our fundraising activities and your generosity mean that we’re able to continue to offer our end-of-life services to our local communities when and where they need it. With your help and support, we intend to continually develop, and improve, our services so that we are still here, still caring, both now and in the future.
Please keep safe and well.
Best wishes,
The Pilgrims Hospices team
Pilgrims Hospices is a charity dedicated to providing expert care and support to patients with life-limiting illnesses in east Kent. Our services ensure comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients and their families, offering compassionate care both in hospice settings and in the community.
31st March 2025
Pilgrims Hospices Lottery: From small beginnings to over 21,000 entries
1996 saw the beginnings of Pilgrims Hospices Lottery, with an army of volunteers stomping the streets to gain supporters and willing participants to our first ever draw in April 1996.
Nearly 30 years on, and thanks to many of the same early collectors and members, we go from strength to strength. Our draw now has over 21,000 entries every week and continues to grow. It’s a fun and easy way to give and be part of the Pilgrims community, providing regular, sustainable funds to go towards Pilgrims very special services. Did you know that more than 5,500 winners cheques worth over £200k are sent out every year?!
Following the success of the weekly draw, we’re delighted to say that we’ve also been able to add several associated products to our portfolio over the years, which have proven to be very popular. We now offer scratch cards, wedding favours and gift vouchers for any event– including Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries.
Fun facts!
In 2024, our dedicated team of Lottery Collectors walked over 3,000 miles, the Lottery team signed up over 4,000 new entries and we congratulated more than 5,500 lucky winners.
Plus, our ever-popular Christmas Superdraw; 2024 year, with £75,000 brought in. This was our most successful Superdraw in over a decade. Thank you to the thousands of you who took part and made such a difference to so many. It really does mean a lot to us all at Pilgrims, particularly special and appreciated in these challenging times.
As a weekly lottery, we contribute to good news and happy memories. We like to tell and be told good news stories, the joys of winning, the difference a win can make; going towards holidays, celebrations, treats for children and grandchildren alike, creating blissful flashbacks and treasured moments. Our very kind and generous supporters have donated thousands of pounds worth of winnings to Pilgrims Hospices in this last year alone. Thank you so very much, it really does make such a big difference and helps us continue to provide our compassionate care to those who need it the most.
We are still fantastic value at just £1 a week per entry! Join today!
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices care for thousands of people across east Kent, with services provided from its three hospice sites in Ashford, Canterbury, and Thanet, as well as in patients’ own homes. It costs over £17.2 million annually to run these services, much of which comes from the generous support of the local community.
28th March 2025
Compassionate Communities continue to grow in east Kent
Compassionate Communities is part of a growing movement that aims to promote a public health approach to death, dying, loss and grief right at the heart of local communities.
Since the launch of Pilgrims Compassionate Communities strategy in 2024, we have been working with groups and individuals in our local communities, inspiring, supporting and celebrating compassionate activities across east Kent.
Grief is a natural, normal and necessary emotional reaction when someone close to us dies, but when we are affected by grief, it can often leave us feeling overwhelmed, isolated and uncertain of the future. Most people find they are able to cope with their grief with the support they receive from family, friends and their local community. For some people, having the opportunity to meet with other bereaved people, to share their experiences and to make new connections through peer support, can be a helpful way to normalise their feelings and worries.
Here, we recognise some of the work Pilgrims Compassionate Communities has been doing to support local community groups.
Romney Marsh Community Hub Bereavement Support Group
Recognising the need for bereavement support in their local area, Romney Marsh Community Hub recently took the initiative to set up a peer-led support group for adults who are experiencing grief. As part of our Compassionate Communities work, Pilgrims were delighted to support this project by facilitating a grief awareness and compassionate conversation skills training session to staff and volunteers from the Hub. Those who attended found the session very useful – it helped them to understand how grief works, and how to use communication skills effectively to support adults who are grieving. Following the success of this first session, Pilgrims will be delivering a second session at the Hub in April.
Lympne Parish Council Bereavement Support Group
Councillor Anne Beales from Lympne Parish Council recently approached Pilgrims for advice and help in setting up a bereavement support group in their local community. As part of our Compassionate Communities work, we are excited to have this opportunity to collaborate with Anne and her team of volunteers, supporting them to develop and implement a pilot project for members of their local community, starting in April.
To find out more about Pilgrims Compassionate Communities work, or if you would like to become involved in creating a compassionate community across east Kent, please visitpilgrimshospices.org/compassionate-communities.
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices care for thousands of people across east Kent, with services provided from its three hospice sites in Ashford, Canterbury, and Thanet, as well as in patients’ own homes. It costs over £17.2 million annually to run these services, much of which comes from the generous support of the local community.
27th March 2025
Celebrating 15 years of Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge
Back in 2010, Pilgrims Hospices launched a little bike ride across east Kent. Since then, Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge has not only become a much-loved staple in the charity’s annual events calendar, but it has also become one of the South East’s largest cycle rides.
A staggering total of 14,475 riders have signed up over the years, cycling an incredible 1,024,327 miles for Pilgrims. A million miles equates to in excess of 40 trips around the equator.
The ride traditionally takes place on the Early May Bank Holiday weekend, to allow cyclists to enjoy a relaxing Monday after taking on such an impressive challenge. For 2025, the ride is taking place on Sunday 4 May 2025.
Cycle Challenge Pm April 25 6
Cycle Challenge Pm April 25 5
Cycle Challenge Pm April 25 4
Cycle Challenge Pm April 25 3
Cycle Challenge Pm April 25 2
Cycle Challenge Pm April 25 1
This year, the Fundraising team is aiming to cross the line with several remarkable milestones:
Since 2010, the annual event has raised an incredible £1.4 million for local hospice care. In 2025, we are hoping to surpass the cumulative £1.5 million total over the years.
Whilst contributing to £1.5 million in fundraising, the event has been exclusively opened to welcome 1,500 riders to the event this year, promising to make 2025 the most memorable year yet!
To celebrate the event’s 15th anniversary, a brand-new 15-mile route has been introduced to encourage even more participants to join in the fun. This route is open to individuals aged 12 and older, providing an exciting opportunity for families to cycle together, as well as catering to beginners or those seeking a shorter ride.
A special anniversary medal – each rider will receive a brand-new commemorative medal to mark their fantastic achievements on the finish line.
Starting and finishing at the University of Kent in Canterbury, Pilgrims Cycle Challenge offers a range of distances, including 30, 50, 75, 100 and 125 miles for participants aged 14 and over, in addition there is a new 15-mile route for those aged 12+.
Each distance offers an opportunity to experience Kent’s stunning countryside. Every year, more than 1,300 riders join the event to pedal for Pilgrims.
Together, the cyclists, their friends and family, the wonderful volunteers, bike marshals, mechanics and staff help to fund skilled and compassionate care for thousands of patients and their loved ones each year.
Mileage-worthy stats
In excess of £1.4 million has been raised via Cycle Challenge since 2010.
More than 14,475riders have taken part.
The total distance cycled by these riders equates to 1,024,327 miles.
Last year, more than 3,725 pieces of cake were consumed, and 4,300 cups of tea were enjoyed.
Together with 950 bananas and 1,550 rolls – all made in-house by our dedicated catering team.
Spoke-worthy quotes from Pilgrims’ riders
“Pilgrims Cycle Challenge is my bike challenge of the Year – fantastically well organised and such an inclusive event for all!”
“Fantastic day on the bike with wonderful volunteers”
“Best bike challenge for miles! Simply the best”
“A very enjoyable experience from start to end with added bonus of knowing we’re raising money for a truly worthwhile cause”
“It’s 3 days after the cycle ride and I’m still euphoric about the whole day.”
“Such a heart-warming, amazing event with awesome support”
“The 125 was deeply soul searching”
“A well organised event, which supports the cyclists, and all along knowing you are supporting the hospice.”
“It was a brilliant day, superb roots and immaculate organisation. Bring on 2025!!”
On the day entry and prices will be subject to capacity.
Register early to avoid disappointment.
The 15th Anniversary Special – 15 miles (£30)
The Circuit – 30 miles (£35)
The Classic – 50 miles (£45)
The Challenge – 75 miles (£45)
The Century – 100 miles (£55)
The Epic – 125 miles (£65)
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices care for thousands of people across east Kent, with services provided from its three hospice sites in Ashford, Canterbury, and Thanet, as well as in patients’ own homes. It costs over £17.2 million annually to run these services, much of which comes from the generous support of the local community.
26th March 2025
Helping to shape ambulance services for people in the last year of life
Pilgrims Hospices is collaborating with a research team at the University of Southampton, the University of the West of England and South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust to invite people who have had experiences of ambulance callouts to learn about their views and help shape ambulance services in the future.
The research, called the ParAid Study and funded by Marie Curie, is evaluating how different ways of delivering services influence paramedic practice and experiences of individuals at end-of-life.
Paramedics are often important to patients in the last year of life (end- of-life). We know that 999 calls are increasing for individuals and their families at end-of-life, which may be because services in the community are under pressure e.g. those provided by family doctors and community nurses.
Little wide-scale research has been carried out to understand the contribution played by paramedics in these situations and how this might be improved.
From practice, it is known that paramedics attending patients at end-of-life face complex issues, such as:
Not knowing the patient or their family
Lack of availability of patient history
Fear of doing wrong
Issues with family conflict
A lack of healthcare professionals to handover to out-of-hours, if the patient is to remain at home.
These issues can mean people are admitted to hospital when circumstances mean they could be cared for at home.
Natasha Campling
Dr Natasha Campling (Associate Professor, School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton), who is leading the research, said:
“We have already carried out a large-scale survey of paramedics throughout England to understand their professional practice and what factors influence this, and are now conducting in-depth case studies (collecting information from patients, carers and healthcare professionals) to examine different ways of delivering services. It is important to evaluate ambulance service delivery and understand how the best parts of service provision can be incorporated into other services to improve the quality of care and support provided to patients and their families during this crucial period of time. This may prevent unnecessary hospital admissions at end-of-life, which often leads to people dying in hospital.”
If you have had an ambulance callout in recent months, are aged 18+, living in your own home, in the last year of life, or a current or bereaved carer for someone in this situation, you may be eligible to take part in a one-off interview about your experience. A £25 voucher will be offered to those who take part.
If you are interested in taking part, please contact the Research team (and see the study poster for further information):
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices care for thousands of people across east Kent, with services provided from its three hospice sites in Ashford, Canterbury, and Thanet, as well as in patients’ own homes. It costs over £17.2 million annually to run these services, much of which comes from the generous support of the local community.
Our fundraising activities and your generosity mean that we’re able to continue to offer our end-of-life services to our local communities when and where they need it. With your help and support, we intend to continually develop, and improve, our services so that we are still here, still caring, both now and in the future.
Please keep safe and well.
Best wishes,
The Pilgrims Hospices team
Pilgrims Hospices is a charity dedicated to providing expert care and support to patients with life-limiting illnesses in east Kent. Our services ensure comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients and their families, offering compassionate care both in hospice settings and in the community.
