Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Colourful journey to help hospice
The Great Stour Way was ablaze with brilliant colours when Pilgrims Hospice supporters took to the picturesque route for a charity walk and ride.
Almost 250 people joined in the annual Rainbow Ride and Stride between Canterbury and Chartham on Sunday to raise close to £3,000 for the charity – with money still to come in.
Fundraisers dressed for the occasion – even adding a little colour to their bikes and dogs. Among them were Juliann and Ray Davies, who with their dog Ellie were walking in memory of their son Joshua, who was cared for by the hospice when he was just 18.
Ray said: “This is our first event since Joshua passed away. We have been doing lots for the Pilgrims Hospices in the background but now feel we are ready to do something more publicly.
“Juliann and I would like to thank our friends and work colleagues who have so generously sponsored us for this event.”
The Harris family from Boughton turned out in force, with mum and dad, Claire and Ben, taking part with their daughters, Amelie and Phoebe.
Claire said: “My nan and her husband Rob both received care at the Pilgrims Hospice in Canterbury and we are grateful for the understanding that we received as a family.”
Alan Gifford, from Canterbury, cycled the route and raised an impressive £400. A theatre orderly at Kent and Canterbury Hospital for almost 35 years, he said: “I sadly lost my good friend Mark to cancer just last week and he was cared for at the hospice.”
The hospice thanked its volunteers and sponsors, Animal House Veterinary Practice and Omicron Repro Print Specialists.