Kentish Express Ashford & District
Hospice staff to do sister act for pyjama fundraiser
HELPING OTHERS
There is less than two weeks to go until the annual Pyjama Walk in aid of the Pilgrims Hospice.
Those gearing up for this year’s night-time trek around Ashford include a team of six nursing and care staff from the Hythe Road hospice.
They will walk the 10km route wearing nun’s habits.
Sarah Smith, a healthcare assistant who has been at the Ashford hospice for 14 years, said: “We were ladybirds last year and decided to do something completely different this time.”
Ward sister, Angela Padgham, who has also been with Pilgrims for at least 14 years, added: “We are really looking forward to walking for the hospice and having a good time doing it.
“We just thought that nuns would be different, and we’re all looking forward to having a really special team night. We’re all meeting for something to eat before setting off for the Pyjama Walk, and we’ll see where that takes us after that!”
The walk will start at 8.30pm at the Ashford Designer Outlet in Kimberley Way on Saturday June 27, with walkers encouraged to jazz up their jim-jams ahead of the event.
Entertainment will be provided by Ashford Sings!, Whitstable’s community samba band Samba Pelo Mar and dance group Clubbercise.
Pam Meller, of Pilgrims Hospices, said: “The nurses will be helping raise valuable funds towards the £14 million needed to run the three hospices in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet as well the hospice’s community and Hospice at Home services.”
More than 1,000 people took part in last year’s Pyjama Walk, raising £50,000 for the three hospices.
The cost of booking places for the walk online is £10 for adults and £5 for children, although online registration will close at midnight on Wednesday June 24.
After that, people will be able to register on the night at a cost of £15 for adults and £10 for children.
See www.pilgrimshospices.org or call 01233 504111.