Westgate Garden Centre owner donates 300 sunflowers to Pilgrims Hospices appeal

Elaine Stevens, manageress, Sara Scriven, PIlgrims Hospices and Jackie Young, owner of Westgate Garden Centre

Volunteer gardeners have been busy planting and carefully tending  young sunflowers in readiness for Pilgrims’ Sunflower Memories remembrance appeal later this month.

All of the plants, compost and pots have been donated by Jackie Young, owner of Westgate Garden Centre.  Sunflower Memories, now in its fourth year, is a beautiful way to celebrate the life of someone you love whilst supporting Pilgrims Hospices.  In return for a donation, a sunflower memory marker with the name of your loved one written upon it will be placed in the Pilgrims Hospice garden of your choice to form a sunflower celebration.

Three hundred sunflowers are being grown by Pilgrims gardeners and volunteers for supporters to purchase at hospice receptions and at the Sunflower Memories events.

Pilgrims Volunteers Isobelle and Carol

The events will take place on each of Pilgrims Hospices sites in Thanet, Canterbury and Ashford on weekend of  July 29, where supporters can share their memories, enjoy an afternoon tea and cake and gentle music in the knowledge their support will be providing care for many other patients, families and their friends in east Kent.

Jackie said: “It has been a great pleasure to provide Pilgrims Hospices with the products and seeds for the appeal. So many of us have known someone who has needed Pilgrims support over the years, I’m proud to be part of this valuable appeal.  When Sara Scriven from the hospice approached me for my help I didn’t hesitate to agree.”

Pilgrims individual giving manager, Sara said: “Last year our appeal raised almost £28,000 for Pilgrims care, we hope our generous supporters will help us to continue our work by donating again this year. Each £1 donated to this appeal helps to provide care for over 2,300 people who need our care at home in or in one of the hospices.”

Make a sunflower dedication or  donate to the appeal at www.pilgrimshospices/sunflower or call 01227 782062 or collect a form from one of Pilgrims shops.