Busy hospice fair raises record £22k

Chappell The Pilgrims Hospice Christmas fair raised a record-breaking £22,000 for the charity.

More visitors than ever before attended the fair at the new venue of Towers School on Saturday.

They could browse more than 70 stalls and Father Christmas was there for children.

Victoria Lawrence, Pilgrims Hospices community fundraising manager, said: “I would like to say a massive thank you to the Ashford Fundraising Team and all the volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes in the months before the fair.

“Over 150 volunteers turned up on the day to make the fair the great success that it was.”

Stalls included CD vinyl clocks, wildlife portraits, jewellery, dog treats, a caricature artist and a hot chocolate stall hosted by head sponsors Andrew & Co estate agents.

There were handmade goods which volunteers had been making throughout the year, as well as prizes to be won.

Heather Palmer from Willesborough, who won the first prize of £100 worth of Ashford Designer Outlet vouchers, said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have won the vouchers. Just in time for Christmas. “My mother was cared for by Pilgrims Hospices 30 years ago in Canterbury and the care both she and the family received was second to none.” The charity has launched its popular annual Christmas tree recycling initiative. You can register your Christmas tree to be collected in return for a donation after Christmas at www.pilgrimshospices. org/treecycling

FM4576550 Mayor and Mayoress of Ashford George Koowaree and Gloria Champion and some of the volunteers at the Pilgrims Hospice Christmas fair

Pictures: Gary Browne FM4576544 See more pictures at kentonline.co.uk Sue McGeever and Wendy Young with a giant raffle prize at the Pilgrims Hospice Christmas fair

FM4576560 Ollie and Hattie Rouse meeting Santa

FM4576546 Sian Phelps and Frances Crampton

FM4576559 Keith and Trisha Bromley