Pilgrims Hospices fifth annual summer Sunflower Memories Appeal is a beautiful way to celebrate the life of someone you love. With support from dedicated Pilgrims volunteers and generous local businesses who make invaluable contributions to the success of the much-loved appeal; the hospices hope to raise even more funds for end of life care locally.
In return for a donation of choice, the public can dedicate a beautiful sunflower plaque to be planted in the hospice’s gardens over the summer to remember someone special to them.
Sophie Douch, Pilgrims Hospices Individual Giving Officer, said: “We would particularly like to thank Thanet’s own Young’s Nurseries, who have supplied sunflower seeds for Pilgrims green fingered volunteers to grow and sell at the events and even more to decorate the event areas at all three of our hospice sites in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet.”
Carol Whittaker and Isabel Hack, who volunteer at Thanet hospice, have been busy raising the sunflower seedlings ready to sell on the day. Carol, with fellow volunteer Tony Lowden, will be putting the dedicated sunflower plaques in the grounds before the event.
Pilgrims Specialist Nurse Sarah Brown (pictured above) said: “Sunflower Memories is a chance to share treasured and beautiful memories. We talk to people every day and know the importance within the community to have the opportunity to honour the memory of loved ones.”
Supporters are invited to the Sunflower Day tea party, in the Thanet hospice gardens on Saturday, July 21 at 2pm. Live gypsy jazz style guitar played by Thomas Abrahams will lift supporters’ spirits in the tranquil gardens while they enjoy tea, cake and share their fondest memories of loved ones.
The events are held across each of Pilgrims three hospice sites and last year raised £31,500 for hospice care.
Sarah said: “I feel so lucky to work for Pilgrims. I am continually amazed by the dignity and courage that our patients show. One of the most fulfilling parts of my job is getting to know our patients and their families. We see the person, their role in their family and in the community, not their illness. I often hear people say how safe they feel when they are cared for by the hospice.
“People are surprised at the range of support Pilgrims can offer. We need to continue to engage with the public to explain that as well as coming for end of life care, people at an earlier stage in an incurable illness can also come here to do a lot of living.
“Having support around the clock is what I hear many of our families and patients say is one of the real differences we make to their experience. Appeal donations and support from the community enabled us to offer that support 24hrs a day, 7 days a week.”
Take part
If you would like to take part in the Sunflower celebrations you can find out more and make a dedication at www.pilgrimshospices.org/sunflower or by contacting the Sunflower Memories Appeal team on 01227 782062.
Pilgrims Hospices
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 new wellbeing and social programme supporting people after they are diagnosed to live well and stay independent. Care is provided from three hospice sites in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet as well as in patients’ own homes.