Pilgrims Hospices

SPRING 2013PilgrimsMattersNews forPilgrimsHospicessupportersSponsor A NurseSupport our campaignPilgrims bus takesto the roadNew charity partnershipHospice At HomeResearch programmereveals success story

New for 2013: Sponsor A Nurse campaign launches– see four page leaflet in the centre of this magazine!56 London Road, CanterburyKent CT2 8JAt 01227 459700/812612f 01227 812606414Welcome to the Spring 2013 issue ofPilgrims Matters!10Front cover photo with thanks toAssociate Practitioner Leanne Mayoand Thanet patient Jackie Ferguson.Hythe Road, WillesboroughAshford, Kent TN24 0NEt 01233 504100f 01233 504132Inside this issueCycle challenges 4Sponsor A Nurse launches 8Ann Robertson Centre opens 10Climb aboard Pilgrims bus 14Team Pilgrims 16Shopping fever 18Play Pilgrims Lottery 20Day hospice and outreach 22Community fundraising 24Future events listing 28Ramsgate Road, MargateKent CT9 4ADt 01843 233920f 01843 233931At a time when NHS andother healthcare providersare cutting staff, reducing costsand coming under pressurefollowing the Francis Reportfindings of poor quality care,Pilgrims Hospices is heading inthe opposite direction.We are recruiting additionalnursing staff at all three of ourhospices in a major drive toenable nurses to spend moretime with patients.Pilgrims has a long-standingreputation for clinical excellenceand as we care for an increasingnumber of patients, some withgreater dependency than in thepast, we want to ensure all canbe given the very best care.Increasing our nursingworkforce will cost us moremoney of course. We thereforehave to look at ways in which wecan generate additional incometo afford this expenditure.“We are recruitingadditional nursingstaff at all three ofour hospices”This is why your supportthrough donations, fundraising,our shops and PilgrimsHospices Lottery is soimportant to us.You will see elsewhere inPilgrims Matters informationabout our new Sponsor ANurse campaign. We hope youwill become involved in helpingraise the money we need.Pilgrims hospice care isprovided by the people of eastKent, for the people of eastKent – and I am confidentthat you and the rest of thecommunity will rally round inthe knowledge that all fundsraised will go directly towardshigh quality end of life care.Steve Auty,Chief Executivewww.pilgrimshospices.org e eastkent@pilgrimshospices.orgRegistered charity no 293968 and as a company in England no 2000560.www.pilgrimshospices.orgPilgrims Matters Spring 2013 was written, edited and designed by Nick Evans and Eleanor Sheath of Pilgrims2Hospices Marketing and Communications department, 01227 782061, eastkent@pilgrimshospices.org3

4The event is forfemale cyclists of allabilities and fitnessJoin us on ournew Divas ride!Pampering and samba music at the finishline, mobile bike maintenance to makepunctures painless, your personal ‘Bike Hero’escorts and scenic views of the picturesqueElham Valley.All of these will ensure PilgrimsDivas on Wheels takes a fresh approachto the cycling challenge.New for 2013, the event on Sunday23 June is for female cyclists of allcycling abilities and levels of fitness.Choose from two lovely circular routestaking you through the best of the eastKent countryside, 25 or 50 miles.Anna Glowinski, cyclist, designerand presenter of ITV 4’s The CycleShow is supporting the fundraiser andwill be among the cyclists on the day.She said: “We know there are lotsof ladies out there with bikes who, witha bit of encouragement and support,would like to jump in the saddleand experience the joys and benefitsof cycling. Get together with yourgirlfriends for a great day out and raisemoney for a fantastic local cause at thesame time.”Register online atwww.divasonwheels.orgor call 01227 812621Challenge calls for 1,000cyclists to raise £100kMove over Tourde France; thisyear’s Cycle Challengeis gathering pace to bePilgrims biggest yet.Cyclists across east Kentare urged to sign up forthe county’s biggest oneday bike challenge to raisemoney for Pilgrims Hospices.With starting points inCanterbury, Ashford andThanet, the event will beheld on Sunday 5 May2013. Riders can choosebetween a 75 miles longroute taking in all threelocations or two 45 mileroutes starting from eitherCanterbury, Ashford orThanet as preferred.More than 700 riderswheeled out for theoccasion in 2012 raising£83,000. For 2013,Pilgrims is hoping 1,000people will sign up tohelp hit a magic total of£100,000.Regional FundraisingManager DeborahKellond said: “The eventis popular with sportyindividuals, teams orwith people who simplywant to help their localhospices in memory of aloved one.”Trophies will beawarded to the teamand individual who raisethe most money withteams encouraged frombusinesses, education,friends and families.Ian Ashton, fromPilgrims cateringdepartment takes partin the Cycle Challengeeach year, he said: “Thisis a good distance at thebeginning of the eventsyear. I ride regularly witha cycling group andseveral of us have hadfriends and relatives whohave been cared for byPilgrims. This is a wayfor us to give somethingback.”Novice riders areencouraged too and canbuild up their staminaand confidence with aseries of eight trainingrides before the big day.Register @ www.pilgrimscyclechallenge.org4 5

Presents mean prizesas Gift It Again returnsStraight out of the wrapping and into the back of acupboard – we’ve all received presents not quite to ourliking but with Pilgrims Hospices Gift It Again schemeyou can make the most of good quality items.Whether it’s a tie you won’t wear, or those scentedbath goodies only your auntie loves, we can turn presentsinto prizes. Donations will be used in Pilgrims tombolagiveaways, with all the money going towards supporting the2,500 patients and families we helpin east Kent every year.Gift It Again trolleys will berolling on to a high street near you,as well as appearing in retail outletsincluding Tesco, Sainsbury’s,Wilkinson, B&Q as well asPilgrims Hospices own fundraisingevents.Skype technology brings childhood reunion for patientWoody the rocking horse is so specialFour year old Sam Abbott of Lydd is the proud ownerof a lovingly handcrafted wooden rocking horse – nownamed Woody – won by his mum Sarah in a raffle in aid ofPilgrims. It was made by Folkestone craftsman Ron Taberwho, for several years, has made rocking horses to raisemoney for the charity. Woody is very special as he is the50th created by Ron.Local businesses have given Ron off cuts of woodand leather with which to make the rocking horses. Hethen spends hours selling raffle tickets in the run up toChristmas in Ashford and Folkestone. This time around,Ron raised £3,300.Left: Ron presents fouryear old Sam with hisrocking horse, Woody.In brief• Pilgrims Hospice Ashford’sTreecycling event raisedan impressive £8,000 in its pilotyear. It will run again in Ashfordfor 2013. Plans to roll out tothe other hospices are in theoffing.Kath Pearson, 93, of Ashford, hasreconnected with her best friend from school,thanks to the use of Skype technology.A patient at Pilgrims Hospice Ashford,Kath has been“I feltI couldhugher.”telephoning friendJean in South Africabut never imagined shewould see her face.That was until hospicecommunity coordinatorPauline Donkin arranged for the pair tobe reconnected through a live Skype videotransmission.Jean and Kath became friends at school aged12, and have been close ever since. “We were verymischievous, we used to swim and play tennis.Then Jean moved with her family to SouthAfrica,” Kath explains.Kath last visited South Africa in 1985 sothe reunion was very emotional for her.“When we Skyped each other it wasamazing,” she says. “I hadn’t seen Jean insuch a long time but with the Skype workingI felt I could hug her.”Kath speaks highly of the hospice staff.“They take care of everything you need,”she said. “You just ask and it’s provided.“If I had thought I would have all thishelp when I was ill I wouldn’t have been soworried – knowing I will have that back up tothe end of my days I feel I’m covered.”Above: Kath Pearson Skypeslife-long friend Jean.• Pilgrims received chequesfrom St George’s Golf Club,Sandwich, for £10,000 andNorth Foreland, Broadstairs, for£6,000. Boughton Golf Club,Faversham, donated £10,366.Congratulations to therespective captains for theseconsiderable achievements.• Sixty five piece En Choir willperform feel-good upliftingpop and soul songs on Friday12 and Saturday 13 July in aidof Pilgrims Hospices.www.facebook.com/enchoirwithin6 7

8Support Sponsor A Nurseto take quality care intothe futureHiring more nurseswill help meetgrowing patientcare needsPilgrims nursing workload hasincreased by 14 per cent in the pastyear and now recruitment plans are inhand to enable:• Additional staff nurses on each siteto allow an extra nurse on early andlate shifts seven days per week• An additional sister on each sitewhose role will include developingnursing skills to an agreed standardacross Pilgrims Hospices. Theywill also be responsible for clinicalsupervision, mentorship, clinical skillstraining and development of junior/new nursing staff• An additional palliative specialistnurse will enable the existing sistersat each site to be solely dedicated tosafe, high quality care on the inpatientunits.Pilgrims Hospices Chief ExecutiveSteve Auty said: “Our patients willbenefit from additional one-to-one careby us having more nurses on duty.“We have a long-standing reputationfor clinical excellence. As we care foran increasing number of patients,some with greater dependency than inthe past, we must ensure all patientsreceive the very best care we can give.“Doing so will secure the provision ofspecialist palliative care for the peopleof east Kent.”Our patients, their families andcarers have for a long timetalked about the wonderful,compassionate care they have receivedfrom Pilgrims Hospices nurses duringwhat is a difficult time in their lives.Now, a new campaign will enableeverybody to donate in a different, anddirect, way to help ensure our nurses cancontinue to give specialist care. It’s calledSponsor A Nurse.Specialist and dedicated nursing is atthe heart of everything we do. More thanever, our nurses are playing a greater role asall three hospices look after an increasingnumber of patients. In light of that,Pilgrims Hospices is recruiting more nursesso our patients remain safe in our care whilepatients and families continue to have apositive experience of our care at all times.In the past year alone, Pilgrims Hospiceshas cared for 2,500 patients, 300 more thanin 2011, representing a 14 per cent increasein the nursing workload.Fortunate positionChief Executive Steve Auty said: “At a timewhen the NHS has to make deep cuts in itsservices, Pilgrims is in the fortunate positionof being able to reverse that trend. Of course,employing extra staff comes at a price.“The communities of east Kent arealready very generous to the charity everyyear to help meet our costs and we arealways thankful for their support.”It costs £20 an hour to cover all thecosts of ensuring a nurse can provide care“You feel cherished by the nurseshere - it’s like a big happy familywhich is welcoming and verysupportive.” Sheila, Lymingewhere it’s needed – on the ward, in the dayhospice, in a patient’s own home, or at acommunity outreach group.Individuals and businesses can pay forone hour, one day, one week or even onemonth by making either a one-off donationor setting up a standing order to makeregular contributions.In the centre of this issue of PilgrimsMatters is the campaign leaflet which tellsyou about the scheme and how you canhelp. Pull it out and keep it separately fromthe magazine. If you are eligible, please besure to sign the Gift Aid declaration asPilgrims can claim back an extra 25p forevery pound you give.Turn to the centresection of this magazineto pull out thecampaign leafletPilgrims Hospices Director of NursingPaula Evans said: “Our patients and familiestell us they most value our nurses for theexpert care and compassion they give. Wewant to be able to continue to give everypatient individualised care tailored to meettheir needs and wishes.“We have so many more people to lookafter, it is only right we do our utmost toensure the amount of direct patient to nursecontact time remains high, particularly fromprofessional, well trained nurses.“We want to make sure our nurses arewhere they are needed most and where theymost want to be – at the bedside, or caring forpatients in their own homes and care homes.”When a patient is referred to PilgrimsHospices, our nurses take the time to listenand talk with them to find out what worriesthem most. Our nurses recognise everypatient is unique and aim to ensure theyhave the best possible quality of life, freefrom pain and anxiety.Paula adds: “By sponsoring a nurse youwill help ensure that the precious time apatient has left is as peaceful, comfortableand dignified as possible.”9

Contractors had beenhard at work sinceOctober to turn thestandalone building intoa modern conferencecentre.Ann Robertson Centrebrings ‘excellencein learning’Pilgrims Hospices new conference,education and training centreopened in the heart of Canterburyin January.The Ann Robertson Centre in LondonRoad, has been named in honour of thecharity’s founder.Unveiling a plaque in front of invitedguests with Chairman Dr Richard Morey,Ann said: “Education has always been akey part of our work. It’s fantastic we nowhave this designated facility and incomegenerator for future projects.”Ann praised Pilgrims trustees andmanagement for their ‘vision andboldness’ in purchasing the buildingto ensure Pilgrims can maintain itsreputation for being at the cutting edge ofpalliative care.Richard Morey added: “In just fourmonths, we have built this wonderfuleducation centre. It is going to play a veryimportant part in Pilgrims Hospices futureas we adapt to cater for the 14% increase inworkload we experienced in 2012.”Purchasing Oldroyd House enablesPilgrims to complete its footprint in thislocation and gives several options, bothin the long term and short term, forexpansion.“It is very important too in terms ofincreased income generation and thiscentre is open for hire at reasonable ratesto lots of people in the community.”Pilgrims Hospices bought Oldroyd House,which adjoins the hospice, in early 2012and has created the Ann Robertson Centrein the front part of the building. Profitsfrom hiring out its conference rooms will beploughed back towards meeting the costs ofproviding free patient care from the charity’sthree hospices.A range of facilitiesThe centre can be hired by anybody fora full range of events, product launches,awaydays and staff training. It has beenset up to lend professionalism to businessevents, ensuring conferences and formalmeetings create the right impression forthe centre’s clients.Pilgrims is also offering its ownbespoke range of training workshops atthe centre to allow the wider healthcarecommunity to improve skills andknowledge in end of life care and relatedsubjects.Among the facilities there are threegood size training rooms, aptly named theGeoffrey Chaucer, the Charles Dickensand the William Harvey. These famoushistorical figures link the three hospicelocations. There is also a clinical room forhands on training.For information on hiring roomscall 01227 812616 or emailinfo@annrobertsoncentre.org10 11

Increasing numbers of GP surgeriesin east Kent have joined a PilgrimsHospices led scheme which enablespatients to set out how they want to becared for near the end of their lives.The My Wishes register is an importantsecure record of how patients wish tobe cared for as they approach the endof their life. It ensures people caring forthem know what they want.It records the type of care patients wouldlike to receive, cultural or religious choices,‘The registerrecords howpatients wish tobe cared for’whether ornot a personhas made anynotice of alegal refusal oftreatment andappointmentof a lasting power of attorney for personalwelfare and preferences of where anindividual has chosen to die.Joining up careThe My Wishes register is used byhealth and social care professionalsinvolved in patients’ care and in themonths ahead will also be able tobe accessed not only by doctors andhospice staff but district and communitynurses, ambulance staff and socialservices.‘My Wishes’register offersmore patientchoiceThe register is already used by GPsurgeries in the Canterbury and Thanetareas, with south Kent and Ashfordsurgeries due to come on stream duringthe next three months.Regional improvementMy Wishes is the latest part of a twoyear project, Project Invicta, whichaims to improve the way end of lifecare patients are looked after by theNHS and Pilgrims Hospices. Now atthe halfway point, Project Invicta hasalready seen the successful introductionof a 24 hour care navigation centre.Based at Ashford, this is available tohospice patients and patients on the MyWishes register round the clock.Another part of the project has beenthe introduction of a new drug chart foruse by professionals in patients’ homes,setting out their medication needs.Project Invicta is also looking at howto improve availability, and a moretimely supply, of prescribed drugs fromspecialist pharmacists in east Kent.Mavis Williams, project manager, said:“The My Wishes register and the CareNavigation Centre have been majormilestones in our first 12 months andwe look forward to making furtherimprovements for Pilgrims patientsduring the project’s remaining time.”Five minutes with . . . Canterbury Associate Practitioner Kathleen GriffinAs an Associate Practitionerin palliative care I workto support professionalregistered nurses.I am studying for apalliative care foundationdegree which coversclinical skills, counselling,assessment, care planningand a knowledge of ethicalframeworks.The hospice team is trulymultidisciplinary, that’s whereits excellence lies and why it’sso highly thought of. There’salso nothing like the personal touchand I help nurses by going out intoA Pilgrims Hospices service enablingpatients to have ‘hospice’ care in theirown homes has proved successful,according to new research.Many of the hospices’ patients prefer tospend their last days at home and PilgrimsHospice At Home service was createdthree years ago to offer that choice. TheDepartment of Health funded researchshows it has enabled more patients to dieat home.Dr Claire Butler, Pilgrims medicaldirector and consultant in palliativemedicine, said: “The service was set upin late 2009 and it has become deeplyappreciated by many.“The research included interviewingbereaved families and carers about theirexperiences of the death of their lovedones and they have given some powerfulinsights into the things that are reallyimportant at this time.“Hospice At Home usually respondsAssociate PractitionerKathleen Griffin.the community to see patientspersonally. Often you canlearn more about theirneeds when you meetthem and observe.People still thinkhospices are only forcancer patients, but theyare for anyone with a lifelimitingincurable illness.People often come hereover the course of severalyears, dropping in and out whencare is needed. In my role I dohave the luxury of time to listento what patients are saying. I think thatmakes all the difference, to be heard.”Research highlights Hospice At Home successto a patient within four hours, 24 hoursa day and also provides short term crisissupport for those who prefer not to gointo hospital.”The research has shown that theoverall cost of caring for someone wasnot increased by Hospice At Home butenabled savings in other areas suchas hospital care and GP out of hoursservices.Informal feedbackAdds Claire: “Hospice At Home hasreceived a great deal of informalfeedback from colleagues and familiesappreciative of the support they havereceived from the team. For colleaguesin the hospices, the service offersanother important option for providingcare to our patients. Team members arecommitted, flexible and hard workingand have been a great addition toPilgrims.”Patients, carers and professionals can call the PilgrimsHospices Care Navigation Centre 24/7 on 01233 5041331213

New charity partnerwith Stagecoach‘And that’s me!’ Hospice at Home nurse EmilyFlatt sees her image on the bus for the first time.Pilgrims Hospices is set to benefitfrom a new partnership with buscompany Stagecoach East Kent afterbeing named as its charity of the year.The partnership was announced inearly March with the unveiling of aspecially liveried Pilgrims Hospices busat Westwood Cross shopping centrenear Broadstairs.The bus is already in service on theThanet Loop route but is expected tomove to other parts of east Kent laterin the year.12All aboard!Pilgrims bus taSpeaking at the launch, Steve Auty,Pilgrims Chief Executive, said: “I’m surethe eye-catching livery of the bus will bringinvaluable publicity for the hospices. I’mdelighted Stagecoach has chosen to supportus and we look forward to seeing its stafftaking part in our fundraising events.”Strong reminder“The bus will act as a strong reminderto people that their help can make somuch difference to hospice patients bysponsoring our hard-working, caring andcompassionate nurses.”Steve added it was appropriate the busprominently features photos of Pilgrims nurses.He said: “Eighty five per cent of our staffare nurses and today we are here not onlyto launch this bus but also the SponsorA Nurse campaign. We couldn’t providethe excellent services we do without ournursing team.”Paul Southgate, Managing Director ofSponsor A NurseHow you can get involved

What is Sponsor A Nurse?By sponsoring a Pilgrims nurse you arehelping to ease pain, offer comfort, providereassurance to patients and their families,and help someone live their life to the full inthe time they have left.More than ever, Pilgrims Hospices needsyour help. In 2012, the charity cared for2,500 patients – 300 more than during theyear before, an increase of 14 per cent.“The nurses at the hospice areso caring. Nothing is too muchtrouble for them and they reallylooked after my mother whenshe was there.”To ensure that high levels of bedside carecan be maintained, Pilgrims Hospices isrecruiting more nurses – but that comes at aprice of course.Now, you, or your business, can help meetour costs by sponsoring our nurses – it couldbe for one hour, one day, one week or evenone month – it’s really up to you. You couldmake a one-off donation or choose to payregular amounts using the payment and GiftAid forms opposite and overleaf.Did you know?It costs £20 an hour to cover all the costs ofensuring a nurse can provide care where it’sneeded – on the ward, in the day hospice,in a patient’s own home, or at a communityoutreach group.To keep delivering care to those who needit most, Pilgrims has to raise more than £10million each year. Much of that comes fromthe communities served by the hospices inCanterbury, Thanet and Ashford.I would like to give to Sponsor A Nurseat Pilgrims HospicesPlease return the completed form to: Pilgrims Hospices, Accounts Department, 56London Road, Canterbury CT2 8JA. By signing the form I confirm that I have readand accepted the terms and conditions below.I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A SINGLE PAYMENT OF 1 hour £20 2 hrs £403 hours £60 one day £150 one week £750 otherCanterbury Thanet Ashford Hospice at HomeI enclose a cheque payment of £......................(payable to Pilgrims Hospices)Please debit my credit/debit card (we accept Maestro, Visa and Mastercard)Card numberSecurity code valid from expiry date and issue noSignature........................................................................................date.......................Name............................................................................................................................Address...............................................................................................................................................................................................................postcode.................................email...........................................................tel no (inc area code).................................If you have any questions please email karen.kenward@pilgrimshospices.org or phone her on 01843 233934.GIFT AID Thanks to the Gift Aid scheme you can give an extra 25p per pound. I confirm I have paidor will pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for the current tax year (6 April to 5April) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the charities and Community Amateur SportsClubs (CASCs) that I donate to will reclaim on my gifts for the current tax year. I understand that other taxes such asVAT and council tax do not qualify. I understand the charity will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 that I have given.Signature ............................................................................................................................date ...............................Data protection information – Pilgrims Hospices is registered under the Data Protection Act. Your name and address will not bedisclosed to any other organisation but we may, from time to time, send you news about Pilgrims Hospices and information aboutevents. If you would prefer not to receive information please tick the boxAbout Pilgrims HospicesPilgrims Hospices has been caring for the people of east Kent for more than 30years having opened its first hospice in Canterbury in 1982. Its two other locationswere opened at Thanet in 1992 and at Ashford in 2001.The charity provides palliative care for adults with a range of life-limiting illnessesincluding cancer, heart failure, respiratory conditions and neurological diseases. Careis provided from the three sites, in patients’ homes and via community programmes.Care is also extended to families and carers.

I would like to make a regular donationCanterbury Thanet Ashford Hospice at Home£10 per month £20 per month £30 per monthshipOR..... £ per month starting on / /Please return the completed form to: Pilgrims Hospices, Accounts Department, 56 LondonRoad, Canterbury CT2 8JA. By signing the form I confirm that I have read and accepted theterms and conditions below.I would like to pay by standing order from my bank accountBank name......................................address............................................ ................................................................................postcode....................................Account holder(s)..............................................................................................Account numbersort codePlease pay the amount detailed above and thereafter the same sum on the same day ofeach succeeding month until further notice to the account of Pilgrims Hospices in EastKent, NatWest account number 81015798 sort code 60-04-27kes to the roadNursesinspect thebus.Stagecoach MD Paul Southgate, left, and PilgrimsChief Executive Steve Auty cut a tape in the busdoorway. Mascot Raffles looks on!Signature........................................................................................date.......................Name............................................................................................................................Address...............................................................................................................................................................................................................postcode.................................email...........................................................tel no (inc area code).................................If you have any questions please email karen.kenward@pilgrimshospices.org or phone her on 01843 233934.GIFT AID Thanks to the Gift Aid scheme you can give an extra 25p per pound. I confirm I have paidor will pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for the current tax year (6 April to 5April) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the charities and Community Amateur SportsClubs (CASCs) that I donate to will reclaim on my gifts for the current tax year. I understand that other taxes such asVAT and council tax do not qualify. I understand the charity will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 that I have given.Signature ............................................................................................................................date .....................................Data protection information – Pilgrims Hospices is registered under the Data Protection Act. Your name and address will not bedisclosed to any other organisation but we may, from time to time, send you news about Pilgrims Hospices and information aboutevents. If you would prefer not to receive information please tick the box56 London Road, CanterburyKent CT2 8JAt 01227 459700/812612f 01227 812606Hythe Road, WillesboroughAshford, Kent TN24 0NEt 01233 504100f 01233 504132Ramsgate Road, MargateKent CT9 4ADt 01843 233920f 01843 233931Stagecoach East Kent said: “We believesupporting our local community isextremely important. Our own staff put agreat deal of effort into supporting localcharities and good causes.“Pilgrims has three hospices in areaswhere we have local depots. The livesPilgrimsstaff andsupportershelped toensure thebus waslaunched infine style.of many of our employees and theirfamilies have already been touched bythe important work the charity does.“Although we are supporting PilgrimsHospices as a charity, the partnership willin fact be very personal to a lot of ourstaff.”www.pilgrimshospices.org e eastkent@pilgrimshospices.org PM April 2013Registered charity no 293968 and as a company in England no 2000560. 15

Five minutes with... fundraiser Ella BrocklebankThirteen challenges, including twomarathons, two cycle challengesand a 75 mile running and cyclingevent, in just 12 months: that’s theprogramme Ella Brocklebank has setherself to raise more than £3,000 forPilgrims Hospices.Ella, 31, from Chartham, has beenfundraising through sport challengesfor Pilgrims Hospices for the past twoyears. Her involvement took on a newsignificance last year though whenher father became ill with cancer.“Suddenly Pilgrims becamea personal charity for me,” sheexplains. “They cared for my Dad sowell when he was ill and my familywas looked after with the samelevel of care, nothing was too muchtrouble. I want to make sure otherpeople have that available to themtoo.”Ella set up a fundraising page forPilgrims when her Dad died, askingfor donations instead of flowers.More than £800 was raised in hismemory. Then the charity offered herone of their five gold bond LondonMarathon places and she jumped atthe chance; and that is just the start.“2012 was a difficult year, I’vedecided 2013 has to be a bit luckier,so I’m playing on the number andtaking on 13 challenges for PilgrimsHospices.”Ella has running and cycling eventsalmost every month including theLight up the City 5k, the Tri Hospice75 mile CycleChallenge,the LondonMarathon andthe EdinburghMarathon whereshe will runalongside herhusband BenTrott.With herfive year olddaughter Gracieto look after anda full time job,training will bedemanding butElla is confident.“Pilgrims caredfor my Dad sowell when hewas ill”“I’ve got to stay fit and injury freebut when people have sponsoredyou that motivates you while thecrowd keeps you going on the day.”> In all we have 16 supporters runningfor Pilgrims Hospices in the 2013 London,Brighton and Edinburgh marathons. Visitour website for regular updates.Team Pilgrims gets set forLondon MarathonThe Jayne Dunsbee, Lucinda Cavalier, EllaBrocklebank and her husband Ben Trott – hewill instead be running Edinburgh Marathonin May for Pilgrims – met to show off theirTeam Pilgrims vests and enjoy a gentle, butslightly chilly, workout. Nigel Ross-Hunt andTom Langlands are the other members of theteam who successfully applied for bondedplaces in the London event.Jayne, from Ash near Sandwich, is along standing fundraiser and volunteerwith Pilgrims providing complementarytherapies at the hospice in Canterbury andat the outreach group in Dover. She has setherself a target of raising £2,000 from themarathon and is more than halfway there.Jayne said: “I’m not aiming for a specificfinish time, I just want to complete it andenjoy every minute of it. I might even donfancy dress for the event to raise more money– I’m open to ideas from people!”group of keen runners taking part in April’s London Marathon to raise moneyfor Pilgrims Hospices is getting into shape as the big event beckons.Lucinda is a student at the Universityof Kent studying Human Resources andwas inspired to run for Pilgrims after hergrandfather was cared for by the charity.She said: “I didn’t know very much aboutPilgrims until then. I signed up for the LightUp The City event last year and I’m hopingthat by running in the marathon I’ll beable to help younger people have a betteridea of what Pilgrims does. That’s alreadyhappening as I ask university friends tosponsor me.“London will be the first marathon I’veever run and I’m super-excited.”Sponsor Team Pilgrims at:www.justgiving.com/teams/Come-On-Pilgrims16 17

Tivoli Brooks promisesshopping and culturePilgrims Hospices opened its latestretail venture on the outskirts ofMargate town centre in February atTivoli Brooks (adjacent to Howdensand Jewsons). The store is open from10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday.Situated in a former soft drinksfactory it is being remodelled to becomea treasure trove of pre-loved furniture,carpets, fashion items, sporting goodsand books.One of 11 specialist shops run byPilgrims Hospices, the size of the storeenables larger items to be displayed attheir best – something which cannotalways be achieved in the charity’ssmaller shops.Heather Sawney, Head of Retail,explained: “Tivoli Brooks offers us adifferent opportunity to share itemswith the local community which havepreviously been hidden away frompublic view. Tivoli Brooks has been fullystocked with a wide offer and items arebeing added daily.“The fabulous scale of this site andthe quirky layout means we can reallybe creative. In the coming months we’llbe holding community events with livemusic and local food.”Gift Aid your goodsThe popular scheme is coming toPilgrims Hospices shops this year.The scheme allows charities to claimback the tax on purchases at 25%, sofor every £10 raised they claim £2.50.Head of Retail, Heather Sawney,said: “This adds up quickly. If 50%of all of our furniture items wereGift Aided, this would raise another£62,500 for Pilgrims per year.“That’s a significant amount to puttowards the free services we offer topatients with life limiting illness.”Bargain hunters flock to newlook Canterbury storeCanterbury’s discerning bargainhunters lost little time to visitthe new look Pilgrims Hospices storein St Dunstan’s when it reopened inFebruary.A queue of people were waiting fortheir first glimpse of the interior, whichin the previous three weeks had beengiven a complete makeover.Officially opening the shop, AnthonyPratt, Director of nearby CanterburyAuction Galleries, said: “It’s a splendidachievement, which wouldn’t bepossible without the support of thepeople of east Kent whose donationscome in thick and fast.”For more than 30 years, the store hasbeen housed in a half-timbered Tudorbuilding in one of the oldest parts ofCanterbury. It’s the first refurb in years.Above: The Tudorfrontage of thenew look store atSt Dunstan’s.Staff and volunteers have reorganisedthe stock in new bespoke displayunits so shoppers can choose from ahuge range of quality pre-loved itemsincluding vintage men’s and women’sclothes, vinyl records, fabrics, toys and astunning 35 metres of shelved books.Among the first customers was SusanPritchard, from Herne Bay. She said:“It was very inviting when we lookedin and now we’re inside it’s great. I amalready enjoying browsing!”Leading the project was Pilgrims Head ofRetail, Heather Sawney: “Customers wholike to rummage will discover unexpectedtreasures, and, for those who are tighter fortime, we have introduced more structureto our displays. Overall, people can expectgood value, quality items.”19

Join nowSpend just £1 aweek to be in witha chance of winningour guaranteed weeklyfirst prize of £2,000and also a chance ofwinning up to £20,000with our rollover,while supporting agreat local cause.‘With Pilgrims you knowyou’re really helping’Mr Jide Osikoya has supportedPilgrims Hospices Lottery sinceits launch. Though his numbers havecome up before, he says it’s not aboutthe prizes but about supporting alocal charity close to his heart.With his wife Jean, Jide has lived ineast Kent for many years and startedsupporting the hospice when it firstopened in 1982.In the early 1990s, his friend’s fatherwas looked after by the hospice andfollowing that the wife of a good friendwas there in her last days.“Since she died,” he explains,“Instead of buying Christmas presentswe have been donating money to thehospice through the Trees of Lovescheme and supporting all kinds ofAbove: Look out for Pilgrims Lottery’s cute smart car ‘Lotty’ andthe lottery team at our events throughout the year.Opposite: Jean and Jide Osikoya have supported Pilgrims HospicesLottery since it began.other schemes from the charity shops tothe fundraising events.”He decided to start playing thePilgrims Hospices Lottery when it waslaunched: “I have two numbers which Ipay for each week and I also played therecent Christmas raffle.“It’s not about the winning for me,it’s just a fun way of supporting. Mynumbers have come up before butI really wasn’t expecting it, that wasincidental and I am very grateful!”Pilgrims Hospices Lottery wasoriginally started by a group of peoplefrom the east Kent community andthere is now a £2,000 first prize to bewon every week.Did you know?Pilgrims HospicesLottery contributesin excess of £500,000each year to helpfund palliative carefor local peoplecoping with incurableillnesses.“It’s not about winning, it’sjust a fun way of supporting.”“It’s a really good job that the hospicedoes. I have been there many timesfor open days, carol singing and otherevents and seen the work they do. Thereassurance it gives to patients andfamilies is just incredible.”Jide prefers supporting Pilgrims toplaying the National Lottery. “With thenational scheme, sometimes the moneygoes to good causes but you don’t seethe results. With Pilgrims I know Iam really helping, I would definitelyencourage others to play.”Call 01227 379741 or visit www.pilgrimshospices.org for information. Look outfor your summer raffle pack arriving on your doorstep soon too!20 21

Simonsays:‘musicmatters’One of the newest activities at Canterbury day hospiceare music sessions led by local musician, Simon LeePatients drift into theday room chattingwhile Simon sets outmaracas, egg shakers, anacoustic guitar and someonehas brought in a ukulele.Simon picks out a few chordson his guitar, “We’ll startwith something gentle.”Simon is a communitymusician so as well as playinggigs across Kent he visits arange of groups from schoolsto social care homes andrehab centres. He pilotedsessions at the hospice in2012 and the feedback wasso good he’s returned.‘Don’t worry be happy’kicks off today’s session,patients tap their feetand play along. They jokethroughout the song until“let’s finish in three – threetwo one”, the sound stops,everyone laughs.How do classes work?There’s no formal teaching,I give guidance on joining inwith parts of the rhythm butmainly it’s about interactionand making music accessible.We usually use smalldrums, hand percussionand sometimes use largerinstruments like African andLatin drums. Generally I singand lead with my guitar.We cover all types of music,everything from pop and rockto show tunes, world musicand folk, whatever people feellike on the day.What’s the benefit?In the vernacular we saymusic puts a vibe in a room,gently bringing you intothe moment. Hopefullythat’s relaxing for people.The group can choose thesongs, which often bringback pleasant memories forthem. It’s a great chance forpatients to socialise too.I’m not a musician, can Istill come?If people are musicians theycan come with an instrument,but if you’ve never playedbefore it’s really not a problem.No one is asked to get up andsing something.One patient said to me ‘Ican’t come and play music, I’vegot no rhythm and I’m tonedeaf’. I suggested why notjust come along and sit in. Hestarted venturing into music athis own pace and enjoyed it somuch he’s a regular now.What has the responsebeen like?Really good, patients saythey look forward to sessionsas a sociable and relaxingtime in the week. Somecome regularly and bringfriends and relatives.We have an open doorpolicy, I want people to feelthey can join in at any stageand be welcome.• Music therapy sessionsare also held at our hospicein Thanet. To join a sessionthere, please call MarySackett on 01843 233924or email mary.sackett@pilgrimshospices.orgIf you can’t get to day hospice, we run outreachsessions in Deal, Dover and Herne Bay!Patients, their families and carers may notalways find it easy to travel to day hospicesessions at the three sites so Pilgrimsarranges weekly outreach group meetingsin Deal, Dover and Herne Bay.A fourth is planned to begin atBrenzett, Ashford, in the spring.Pilgrims Thanet teamprovides the service forpatients and carers onFriday mornings at the DealCentre, in the town’s ParkStreet, where complementarytherapy, exercise and creativeactivities are offered. It also runsweekly counselling sessions,complementary therapy andpalliative specialist nurse clinicsfrom the Golf Road Centre.Additionally, patients can see a consultantat the team’s weekly medical clinic inBalmoral surgery. The Thanet team also runsmonthly patient and family support groupsessions from the Dealability Centre.Dover outreach, run by PilgrimsCanterbury team, meets every Fridaymorning at the Phoenix Railway Club inCrabble Hill. Again complementary therapy,exercise and creative activitiesare offered. The team hasalso recently started a groupfor Herne Bay and nearbyareas, meeting at St Andrew’sChurch Hall in Pier Avenue, onMonday mornings.• If you would like to findout more, please call ourcommunity coordinators.Mary Sackett, for Dealand Sandwich, can becontacted on 01843 233924,email mary.sackett@pilgrimshospices.org orMaureen Griffin, for Dover and Herne Bay,on 01227 459700, email maureen.griffin@pilgrimshospices.org. You can also visit thepatient care section of our websitewww.pilgrimshospices.org.22 23

Communitygroups fuelfundraising“There are so manyfriendly people, itmakes for a happygathering.”Pilgrims has fundraising groupsin Folkestone, Ashford, Thanet,Sandwich, St Margaret’s &Tenterden.Find out meeting dates at:www.pilgrimshospices.orgFolkestone is the longest runningof Pilgrims Hospices communityfundraising groups.Active for more than 35 years andraising more than £195,000 in thelast decade, it has a growing swell ofsupporters. The regular raffle andhomemade cakes are an obvious draw butsurely there’s more to this than a slice ortwo of sumptuous lemon drizzle?The group was originally formedby Christine Pledger and husbandCharles. Christine continued runningthe fundraising group until 10 years agowhen Doreen Ashdown took over.“The coffee mornings started verysmall,” Doreen explains. “We just said,why don’t some of the volunteers gettogether and have coffee now and again?The first one raised £35 but today weraise more than £200 each month.”The events are well supported by localpeople, including the town’s mayors whoattend regularly.Shared achievementsCllr Rodica Wheeler, Town Mayor ofFolkestone comes as often as possible.She said: “I know people who have hadfamily cared for by Pilgrims Hospices andthey’ve had nothing but praise.“It’s important we all try to help eachother so I try to do my own bit supportinglocal charities like Pilgrims.”Another regular face is craftsman RonTaber who, for several years, has maderocking horses as raffle prizes to raisemoney for Pilgrims. In just the past year,he’s been out in all weathers selling raffletickets at total of 18 different sites fromsupermarkets to town centres in therun up to Christmas. In total over thepast year Ron has raised a staggering£3,300 for Pilgrims Hospices fromhis rocking horses and other woodenitems he makes; this will continue in2013.“It’s great to do something useful forthe hospice,” he explained. “It is alwaysgood to see the joy my horses bring,and it keeps me busy.”Friendly facesMany members who come have lostsomeone at the hospice and it’s clearthe group offers much more than themoney raised.Volunteer Barbara Hillier said:“My husband attended the hospiceat Ashford, as he had Parkinsons. Itwas a great relief to him to get thatsupport; the staff were so caring. Sincehe passed away it helps just to comehere and chat. There are so manyfriendly people; it makes for a happygathering.”This coming year looks set to beanother successful year for the group,with fundraisers including a fashionshow in May, but Doreen said thesuccess can’t be explained: “There’s nosecret ingredient – it just works.”Folkestone Fundraising Groupmeets monthly at Holy TrinityChurch Hall, Sandgate Road,Folkestone. Call 01303 251980for information.Volunteer profileDave King from Folkestone is a volunteerdriver for Pilgrims Hospice Ashford. After twoyears he finds it more satisfying than ever.“I bring people to the hospice whocan’t drive themselves. You still findthose who think a hospice is somewherepeople only go to die, which of course isnot the case.“Once you’re past that barrier, any fearbreaks down and people begin to open upto you. That’s when you can really help. Idrive people from all walks of life, but theyall seem a lot happier once they have beencoming to the hospice a little while.“I can’t sum up what it means tome to volunteer here. It’s the personalsatisfaction and what I can do for people.We are backed up by a great team too;there’s no negativity, it’s all positive frommanagement to volunteers.“Of course it is always hard whenwe lose a patient but your lifetimeexperiences help.“I was a police officer for a numberof years and I’ve also had personaltragedy as I lost one of my children ata young age. So the university of lifehas prepared me, that’s not to say Idon’t care but I can get on with the job.Sometimes people say, ‘I couldn’t dothat’; well why not?”To volunteer visit www.pilgrimshospices.org24 25

Step out and have ‘funsie’ in your onesie!That’s the challenge from Ashfordfundraisers as they prepare to makethis year the biggest ever Pyjama Walkaround the town on the evening ofSaturday 29 June.The 10km walk aims to beat lastyear’s great event of 1,000 walkerswho raised over £50,000.Walkers will be following anew route ensuring a fun-filledevening from start to finish. Musicalentertainment includes the verypopular local choir, Ashford Sings!And you can round the night off witha fabulous foot massage.There is a new start time of 10pmthis year so people can be home andin bed by midnight.The event registration costs £10 andsponsorship is encouraged.Here’s news of two great summerfundraising events for you to enjoyMake it astarry, starrynight torememberThe Pilgrims Starlight Strollis coming to Broadstairs onFriday 2 August. All adults arewelcome, along with childrenover nine years old, accompaniedby a responsible guardian.Join us for an evening offun with a great band, a partyatmosphere and a walk at yourown pace.The fun starts at 7.30pm withreggae and blues band ‘BeggarsBelief’. The walk then starts at10pm and is an 8km coastalroute to Ramsgate along theseafront and back.If you go down to the woods...Kent Guides will have the chance tolearn woodland skills, thanks to a newPilgrims Hospices youth scheme.Qualified Forest School Practitionersfrom EarthCraftuk, Natural Pathways,Kent Wildlife Trust and Junior KingsCanterbury are coming together toprovide a free enriching woodland dayfor 80 Kent Guides.“Get creative with cake forPilgrims,” says Paul HollywoodGreat British Baker andKentish cook, PaulHollywood has once againpledged to support PilgrimsHospices It’s A Piece Of Cakecampaign which this year willtake place between 22-26 April.Local supporters are beingencouraged to ‘get creative with cake’ andhold a range of events from cake sales andbake offs to coffee mornings and tea parties inaid of their local Pilgrims hospice.Paul, said: “Pilgrims Hospices is anThe event takes place on Sunday 16June, courtesy of Fowlmead CountryPark, at Sholden near Deal, to raisemoney for Pilgrims Hospices.The Guides will learn about makingstring from nettles, methods of firelighting, making woodland jewelleryand den building.• www.pilgrimshospices.orgPaul Hollywood with Pilgrims HospiceCanterbury manager Stephen Weller.amazing charity working in themost difficult circumstanceson a daily basis. I really hopethat people will get behindthe Piece Of Cake campaign.”He recommends thefundraiser as a fun way toraise money for a good cause,while enjoying baking.“You never know what’s around thecorner so do something worthwhile - bakea cake for Pilgrims, raise some money andbring a smile to someone’s face!”26 27

• Bulb and Blossom WalkDate: Sat 6 AprilThe Dean of CanterburyCathedral hosts a uniqueopening of the Deanerygarden.Venue: Canterbury Cathedralgardens.Entry: £5/£3.50 concessions• Best of Kent Garden PartyDate: Sun 21 AprilAmanda Cottrell OBEexclusively opens her garden,with ‘plant surgery’ and Kentproduce for sale.Venue: Laurenden Forstal,Blind Lane, Challock TN254AUEntry (includes cream tea):£7.50 or £25 for four• It’s a Piece of CakeDate: Mon 22-Fri 26 AprilGreat British Baker PaulHollywood supports Pilgrimscampaign inviting localsupporters to organise cakerelated fundraisers.• Cycle ChallengeDate: Sun 5 May, 9amChoose from three routes,a 75 mile, and two 45 mileroutes connecting our threehospices.Entry: £30, or £25 early bird(online by 1 May)• Sandling Park OpenGarden eventDate: Sun 12 May,10am-5pmLocation: Sandling Park,Sandling, HytheEntry: £4, children free@PilgrimsHospiceJoin in a Pilgrimsevent 2013• Lunch at Paul’s RestaurantDate: Wed 15 MayThree courses, coffee and aglass of wine for £21, with£7 donated to Pilgrims permeal.Venue: Paul’s Restaurant,Folkestone• It’s a KnockoutDate: Saturday 1 JuneVenue: Minster RecreationGroundEntry: £25 for teams of 10• Divas on Wheels!Date: Sun 23 June, 9amLadies cycle challenge.Offers 25 mile and 50 milecircular routes through someeast Kent’s best sceneryVenue: Bike Tart, ElhamValley nr CanterburyEntry: £25 or early bird £20before 19 June• Pyjama WalkDate: Sat 29 JuneFeaturing a new route andearlier start time of 10pm.Venue: McArthur GlenDesigner Outlet, Ashford,Registration fee: £10, £5 forchildren (5-11 years)• Summer FairDate: Sat 29 June, 12-4pmVenue: PH CanterburyEntry: Free• Gourmet mealDate: Fri 5 JulyVenue: Thanet College,BroadstairsEntry: £35 for six courses• Garden SafariDate: Sat 13 & Sun 14 July,10am-5pmVenue: Open gardens, StMargaret’s village nr DoverEntry: £5• Summer FairDate: Sat 20 JulyVenue: PH ThanetEntry: Free• Starlight StrollDate: Fri 2 August, doors7.30pm, walk begins 10pm.Venue: The Pavilion,Broadstairs.Entry: £15• Summer FairDate: Sat 3 AugustVenue: PH AshfordEntry: Free• Celebrity Golf DayDate: Mon 9 SeptemberVenue: Prince’s, SandwichFull day of golf in thecompany of celebrities.Shotgun start 11am.Entry: £95 includes a twocourse meal & bacon baps• Moonlight WalkDate: Fri 13 September, 8pmVenue: Kings Hall, Herne BayEntry fee: £15• Light Up The CityDate: Sat 26 October,5:30pm onwards.5k run or 3km stroll throughnight time Canterbury.Venue: Dane John Gardens,CanterburyEntry: Starts from £4Like us on FacebookFull details @ www.pilgrimshospices.org