Join us on Sunday, May 5 2024, for the Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge, where we’ll come together not just as cyclists, but as a community united in the spirit of love, remembrance, and supporters for those in need. Team Cynthia and Steven consists of Katie Li, the daughter of Cynthia and Steven, along with Raymond, Nick, Tim and Mark, who are taking part in loving memory of Cynthia (1961-2017), Steven (1952-2023) and loved ones. Katie with her friend, Ellen, and her siblings Amy, Ray and Cindy, cycling 50-miles in 2019 In 2019, Team Cynthia embarked on their first fundraising cycling journe ..read more

Nestled in the heart of Canterbury, former nurse and retired residential care home manager, Christine Todd shines as a beacon of eco-consciousness and community warmth. As an active member of the Mother’s Union at St. Dunstan’s Church and a dedicated volunteer at Pilgrims Hospices’ St. Dunstan’s shop, Christine’s efforts reflect a deep commitment to sustainability and caring for others. At the forefront of Christine’s work is the School Uniform Sale, a monthly event crafted with care and passion. Held at St. Dunstan’s Church Hall on the first Saturday of each month, this initiative goes beyond ..read more

After a challenging year marked by adversity and resilience, Marcello Marino, the beloved owner of Marcello’s Hair Salon in Ramsgate, is preparing to welcome back his loyal clientele with open arms. Marcello’s Salon, nestled on West Cliff Road for over three decades, faced a daunting setback when a collapsed sewer pipe disrupted operations and displaced Marcello and his family from their home. The saga began in September 2022 when a sewage leak wreaked havoc on Marcello’s business premises, prompting an unexpected closure. The subsequent evacuation of Marcello, his wife, and three children und ..read more

Welcome to the virtual edition of Pilgrims Matters – Spring / Summer 2024! As the weather warms, we look forward to a bustling season of events and bring you uplifting news from across Pilgrims. In this edition, we bring you stories, insights, and information that resonate with the spirit of the coming months. In this Pilgrims Matters, you’ll find: Local solicitors partner with Pilgrims Hospices for Make a Will Month 2024 Jenni’s story of inspiration Pilgrims Bed Appeal #IRemember: Rankin’s powerful portraits illuminate Grief Awareness Week at Pilgrims Hospices Fundraising dates for your diar ..read more

Sarah shares why celebrating the life of her Dad, Anthony, at Sunflower Memories, is so important to her and her family. My Dad was a total one-off. He had the most amazing sense of humour, loved to be the centre of attention, and was ridiculous, in the best way! With my brother and two sisters, we were all so close, but he and I in particular were such kindred spirits. He loved jazz and rock and roll music, and when the time came, he decided on the music for his own funeral. In true Dad style, he chose Jerry Lee Lewis’s Great Balls of Fire to be played on the day! As I was putting his eulogy ..read more

Raquel shares why her silver leaf for her husband, Ray, on the Memory Tree at Pilgrims Hospices is so important to her. Meeting my future-husband, Raymond Charsley, was the luckiest thing that ever happened to me. A chance meeting at our local London badminton club in 1987 lead to 30 happy years together. His name on the silver leaf at Thanet is proof for me that the wonderful life we had wasn’t all a dream. On a group trip to watch a Christmas pantomime we got talking and found we had a lot in common. We worked very close by to each other, and I realised how fortunate it was that we met. We s ..read more

Each year, Pilgrims Hospices Lottery generates in the region of £1.2 million; to achieve this significant amount, thousands of you have taken part in our weekly draw, bought scratch cards, superdraw draw tickets, gift vouchers and wedding favours. Thank you! We need your help We have a big ambition to reach our goal of 25,000 members for 2025 and raise more money for these invaluable services. A single entry is still only £1 per week and you could win up to £20k! To help us reach our target, please recommend us to friends and family; they will be very grateful when they win! Join if you are no ..read more

RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN AND NEW MODEL OF CARE LAUNCHED TO ATTRACT MORE NURSING AND MEDICAL STAFF TO CAREERS IN PALLIATIVE CARE  Pilgrims Hospices is embarking on an ambitious recruitment drive to support transformative changes aimed at enhancing end-of-life-care and attracting more nursing and medical staff to palliative care roles.  The charity will expand its clinical workforce to achieve a truly multidisciplinary senior leadership team that leads on strategic and organisational service development for supportive and end-of-life care in East Kent. This will include the recruitment of ..read more

Pilgrims Hospices is thrilled to announce their joint first place victory in receiving the esteemed Joanna Mugridge Research Award at the recent Marie Curie Conference held in February. Their winning entry, the poster titled “Early Primary Care and Hospice Engagement with Patients to Think, Talk, or Act on End of Life Care Needs: The ‘Talk’ Pilot,” captivated judges and attendees alike with its innovative approach and impactful findings. The announcement, made during the conference in early February, marked a significant achievement for the ‘Talk’ evaluation team at Pilgrims Hospices, working ..read more

Within the embrace of Pilgrims Hospices in Ashford, amidst the corridors, therapy rooms, and family areas, a beacon of warmth and compassion shines through the dedicated efforts of individuals like Lizzie Threlfall. Lizzie, a vibrant and empathetic 25-year-old, is not just another student on placement; she’s a testament to the transformative power of heartfelt care and genuine dedication.   With a Psychology First Class Honours Degree already under her belt and now pursuing a Master’s in Social Work at the University of Kent, Lizzie found herself drawn to Pilgrims Hospices for her first p ..read more