Pilgrims Hospice

PRESS RELEASE

Date: 31 March 2009

Active Business Group scoop Operation Pilgrims Trophy

Local business networking association, Active Business Group (ABG), had a different topic on their agenda at last week’s meeting; the £1260 that they had raised as the winning team at Operation Pilgrims was presented to Pilgrims Hospice Trustee, Richard Davis.

Operation Pilgrims took place at the TA Barracks in Ashford in February and gave five civilian teams an insight into Army Life whilst testing their own observational and team working skills. The day raised over £2000 for the Hospices.

ABG, who meet for breakfast and business networking every Tuesday morning at Boughton Golf Club, were a highly organised team who were dressed for the part and put their “means business” attitude into practice on the day as they scooped the winner’s Trophy which they will hold for the coming year.

Alison Brookman, HR Manager at Pilgrims Hospices and Active Business Group Member said “It was a great day and special thanks to the Royal Mechanical and Electrical Engineers for testing our brain power and organisational skills! It was an inventive fundraising event for Pilgrims Hospices and the trophy will be in pride of place before we are back to defend it next year”

For more information on Pilgrims Hospices, please contact Nigel Donkin on 01233 504102 or Active Business Group www.activebusinessgroup.co.uk

Photo captions:

Active Business Group: Winning Team

Pilgrims Hospices is an independent registered charity (293968) and the principal provider of specialist palliative care in east Kent. We care for patients with a range of life limiting illnesses including cancer, heart failure, respiratory conditions and neurological diseases. Care is provided from our three sites in Canterbury, Ashford and Thanet and in the patients’ homes.

Pilgrims Hospices provide a range of support services for patients, their families and carers, and our attractive grounds and facilities provide a welcome retreat for both patients and visitors. To keep delivering care to those that need it the most, Pilgrims has to raise over £8 million each year. The majority of this comes from our local community so fundraising is very important. In total there are 56 Beds, 83p in every pound goes directly on patient care and over 75% of our funding comes from the local community.

The hospices:
Pilgrims Hospice, Canterbury Pilgrims Hospice, Canterbury is our founding hospice and was opened in June 1982 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Refurbished in 2003, it has an in-patient unit of 16 beds and provision for approximately 20 day hospice patients per day open 2 days a week. The hospice, which is situated on London Road, off the Rheims Way, stands within its own beautiful grounds, set back from a large three storey building that houses administration, education facilities and a library.

Pilgrims Hospice, Thanet Pilgrims Hospice, Thanet has been providing hospice services to local residents since 1992, with an in-patient unit of 18 beds and daily provision for approximately 20 day patients, open 2 days a week. Situated on the main Ramsgate to Margate road, the hospice stands within the grounds of the Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother Hospital and is surrounded by nearly two acres of stunning natural gardens.

Pilgrims Hospice, Ashford Pilgrims Hospice, Ashford, opened its doors in January 2001 with an in-patient unit of 22 beds and daily provision for approximately 20 day patients, open 2 days a week. Situated on the A20, on Hythe Road, just off Junction 10 of the M20, the hospice stands in four acres of land given over to formal gardens, featuring a lovely fountain and wildlife garden, complete with pond and meadow.

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