The Heart of Kent Hospice: Latest News

Moonlit Walk Update

hokh.org — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:20:09 GMT

In the early hours of Sunday 6 July, starting at midnight, 365 women walked a half marathon in the Heart of Kent Hospice’s Moonlit Walk to raise more than £75,000 for the charity.

Ann Widdecombe set them off and gave a speech saying that “Twenty years ago, there wasn’t a hospice in Maidstone and through the hard work of a few people who were passionate, we now have a fantastic place for people to come to which is always continuing to add to its services. To see all you women ready to walk and so enthusiastic is amazing and remember that for every step you take, you will be helping someone at a very difficult time in their lives.”

Director of Fundraising – Jennie Hubbard said that “Over 600 women took part in our second Moonlit Walk and have pledged to raise in excess of £75,000 for the Hospice. The whole night was absolutely fantastic – to watch 635 women in pink tee shirts set off into the night in aid of their local hospice was inspirational. I would like to say a huge thank you not only to our walkers, but also to everyone else who helped on the night and contributed to make this such a successful even including Jo Roper, Raynet and the Territorial Army. We are indebted to the Mayor and Mayoress of Tonbridge and Malling who stayed with us all night to welcome back all our walkers to and hand out a medal to each of them on their return to the Kings Hill Community Centre.”

Tonbridge and Malling takes Hospice to Heart

hokh.org — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 09:48:15 GMT

This year’s Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling, Councillor Chris Smith, has adopted the Hospice as one of his two charities for the year. At the start of his new year, the Mayor said that “I chose the Heart of Kent Hospice as one of my charities because I wanted to highlight the work of those who care for others within our Borough. I have been impressed by the way the staff handle their clients when I have visited the hospice. I wish to make ‘care for your borough’ a theme for my year as Mayor and look forward to taking part in the events already planned.”. Further information can be obtained from the Mayor’s office at mayors.office@tmbc.gov.uk or via the Hospice’s fundraising office.

Working to Support Carers

hokh.org — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:56:13 GMT

An important part of working with our patients is supporting the people who care for them. For many years the Hospice has run a monthly Carers’ Group.. This is open to any carer linked to a patient of the Hospice and is an informal and supportive place to meet others who are caring for someone with a chronic illness.

As a development from this we offer a yearly Pamper Day for Carers where they can come and meet others, enjoy lunch together and, if wish, to, participate in a range of activities and complementary therapies. Although there are a number of men who are caring for someone we have always found that they rarely access the support services we offer. Therefore at the end of last year, we made a bid to Help the Hospices for some funds to run a group specifically for male carers (who are linked to the Hospice) – and we were delighted to hear that we were successful.

We are hoping to offer three groups over the year, each over a period of eight weeks long. The group will be led by two male counsellors and will be tailored to meet the needs of the men who attend. We are very fortunate in that Crossroads will provide a sitter (at no cost to the client) in order for the men to attend group. The first group is in early June – please contact the Family Services Team for further information. about joining this or future groups..

A Girls' Nght Out

hokh.org — Thu, 29 May 2008 13:37:04 GMT

The Hospice’s second Annual Moonlit walk will be held this year starting at midnight on the 5 July. Over 350 women have already registered for the walk which last year raised an amazing £31,000! Local MP Anne Widdecombe will be starting the walk from Kings Hill near West Malling for a circular route of just under a half marathon of 13 miles. which will take walkers to the Hospice grounds at Preston Hall and back to Kings Hill for a well earned breakfast. Tee shirts and bangles are provided for all walkers as well as a medal on finishing presented by Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling, Cllr Chris Smith. Walkers are encouraged to raise as much sponsorship as possible. For more information and to download a registration form, visit www.moonlitwalk.org.

See the Great Pancake Race!

hokh.org — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:51:06 GMT

The Great Pancake Race held on 5 February at Fremlins Walk, Maidstone was, once again, a huge success.

Teams, some in fancy dress, had lots of fun competing and the final winners were Ridge Crest Cleaners – congratulations to a fine team.

Kent TV were on hand to film the event – click on the link at the end.

We look forward to next year’s event. Meanwhile, our thanks to all concerned.

http://www.kenttv.com/programmes.php?PID=756&

UPDATE - Grant for the Inpatient Unit

hokh.org — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:15:28 GMT

The show room work is now proceeding at a pace, and room 14 now boasts an ensuite shower room. The initial delays were as a result of having had a slow start and needing to install two reinforced steel joists which were an unforeseen addition to the building time and finances.

The amount of noise and dust have now reduced and we are already able to see just what an improvement the new windows and fresh pale green paint will make to the brightness of all our rooms.

Staff and patients will have the benefit of a new fixed hoist tracking system in the room. We will soon have in place a new profiling bed and pressure relieving mattress with colour co-ordinated bed-linen and curtains.

Finally, the lighting for the room has been carefully considered and in place of the single ceiling light and table lamp of the past we shall be installing a wide over bed light with the facility to light the whole room, or to be used as a reading light with the option of reducing and dimming as required.

The ward is very grateful for the patience and understanding of all our patients, visitors and staff while this sometimes noisy work has been going on. We are also grateful to the builders for carrying out their work with sensitivity to our needs.

Chief Executive Rides Again!!

hokh.org — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 11:25:38 GMT

Chief Executive Kate Bosley will, once again, be undertaking an arduous cycling challenge to raise funds for the Hospice, together with Joan Poynter, our Community Services Manager. In Autumn 2006, Kate & Joan cycled across Cuba in a Charity Challenge activity. Not content with this, they will be cycling another Charity Challenge in February 2008 – this time, 480kms in Rajasthan, India. They are both taking the time from their annual leave and will be paying the costs themselves, so that every penny they raise will go to Hospice funds. We wish them both the very best of luck.

If you would like to sponsor Kate & Joan, please email enquiries@hohk.co.uk or telephone our Fundraising department on 01622 790195. Alternatively, you can download a sponsorship form from the link below.

Grant for the Inpatient Unit

hokh.org — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 11:17:55 GMT

The Hospice is pleased to announce the award of £286,000 from the Department of Health. This is part of the Government’s initiative of providing £40 million to hospices nationally to enable them to enhance end of life care for patients.

This money has been awarded specifically for the enhancement of the Inpatient Unit. Therefore, whilst the work goes on in the ward, we must still be committed to raising funds for the running of all our services.

The need to improve the Inpatient Unit was identified through consultation with patients and their families or carers along with the Hospice staff and volunteers. They highlighted the need to improve certain facilities particularly providing en-suite bathrooms for all single bedded rooms, ceiling track hoists for some rooms and better temperature control. Many ideas have to be looked at, with artistic and practical details such as type of flooring, lighting and colour schemes all needing careful consideration. One room will be completed as a show room to ensure that the plans on paper fit the expectations of the design team before the project goes ahead.

Light Up A Life Raises £17000

hokh.org — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 10:36:57 GMT

A magnificent £17,000 was raised on Sunday through our annual Light Up a Life Appeal.

The afternoon began at All Saint’s Church with a short service led by The Revd. Canon Christopher Morgan-Jones; The Hospice Chaplain, The Revd. Mike Hayes and Chaplaincy Student, Ian Parish.

The congregation joined together in traditional Christmas carols, such as Silent Night and Hark the Herald Angels Sing and listened to readings from Hospice Volunteer Muriel Annett; Macmillan Nurse Michele Austin and Councillor Denise Joy Deputy Mayor of Maidstone.

The Hospice choir sang 2 Carols including, Now Light One Thousand Christmas Lights, which has now become a Hospice tradition.

700 – 800 people joined in the Candlelit Procession from Lockmeadow to the grounds of Archbishops’ Palace for the second service, led by Hospice Chaplain, the Revd. Mike Hayes.

The uplifting service of remembrance, included a solo performance by Helen Swann, Hospice Volunteer and choirs from The Kent Music School; Allington Primary and St Francis Catholic School, with their own unique version of Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer.

Everyone stood together with illuminated candles to sing traditional carols accompanied by members of the KM Medway Band and listened to readings by Tom Chapman, aged 10; James Williams, aged 10 and Richard Jones, Chairman of Board of Trustees.

The Lights on the tree were illuminated during the poignant carol Now Light 1000 Christmas Lights and will now remain lit until 6th January.

For the first time this year, a Book of Remembrance recording names of loved ones was blessed. The book will be available for viewing in All Saint’s Church, during the following times:

Wednesday 12th December, 12 – 2

Saturday 15th December, 10 – 12

Wednesday 19th December, 12 – 2

Saturday 22nd December, 10 – 12

Thank you to all those who took part in this memorable occasion.

William Fox-Pitt demonstrates his skills

hokh.org — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 09:51:43 GMT

Internationally renowned three-day event rider William Fox Pitt recently gave a demonstration to 700 equestrian fans at Hadlow College, Kent in aid of the Heart of Kent Hospice.

William’s impressive list of achievements includes winning the Burghley Horse Trials in 1994, 2002, 2005 and 2007, in addition to representing Great Britain at the Atlanta and 2004 Athens Olympics where he won a silver medal

His demonstration included how to prepare a horse for eventing from novice to advanced level and allowed frequent questions from the audience.

The evening raised in excess of £23,000 for the Hospice, and was very generously sponsored by equine veterinary specialists Bell Equine of Mereworth, West Malling.

http://www.kenttv.com/search.php?Keywords=william+fox+pitt