While for many of us doing our part during the current health crisis means staying at home, Pilgrims Hospices nurses and support staff are continuing to provide skilled and compassionate end-of-life care for people living with life-limiting illness across east Kent. Please support us by being a #StayHomeHospiceHero and virtually visiting Sandling Park Gardens for Pilgrims. 

Sandling Park is a Grade II listed private garden, set mainly in woodland, which once formed part of the medieval forest of Westenhanger near Hythe in Kent. It is a wonderful 25 acre woodland garden with rhododendrons, camellias, magnolias (more than 200 varieties), primulas and wild flowers. The azaleas collection is considered to be one of the finest in the country.

It also features 20 national champion trees, all young and rare, but perhaps the most important aspect of the collection is the population of more than 200 wild-sourced trees which still retain their collectors’ numbers.

Since May 2012 this wonderful privately owned garden has been open to the public (attracting as many as 1400 visitors) on one day a year in aid of Pilgrims Hospices raising over £53,000 in vital funds for the charity. Thank you to the family for their ongoing support. The intention had been to open again for the ninth time for Pilgrims Hospices, however this is now not possible and so we are hosting a virtual open garden fundraiser. 

It is also in grateful recognition of the compassionate end-of-life care that the staff at Pilgrims Hospices are still delivering, every day, to some of the most vulnerable people in our community during the current health crisis. Pilgrims Hospices are #StillHereStillCaring for patients
who need us in these challenging times.

This will raise funds to support the care of patients and their families during these challenging times. With around 80% of their funding coming from the local community, every £20 raised would pay for an hour of nursing care for a patient on one of Pilgrims Hospices wards in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet; making them comfortable, alleviating pain and enabling them to live well for the time they have. Thank you so much for your donation.