insideKENT Magazine Issue 84 - March 2019 | Page 144

NEWS
PARKLIFE COMES TO
PILGRIMS HOSPICE ASHFORD
In February, Pilgrims Hospice Ashford was delighted to unveil the newest
resident in the grounds of the hospice, the Snowdog Parklife.
After the successful Snowdog trail which brought pleasure to the people
of
beyond
in autumn
2018, many
residents
were delighted
In Ashford
February, and
Pilgrims
Hospice
Ashford
enjoyment.
Parklife
has therefore been
that
of the to unique
of art bought loaned
at the Gala
Auction Hospices
remained and will
was some
delighted
unveil pieces
the newest
to Pilgrims
as
part of in the
and hospice,
can be visited
the for
town.
resident
the community
grounds of the
be within
on display
the Joining
forthcoming year.
these
now is Parklife,
the Snowdog
Parklife. who was one of a pair bought by Vin Donald
Trinh.
Mr Donald Trinh said: “Like many
After the successful Snowdog trail
living near and far from Ashford, we
Mr
Donald
Trinh
so enjoyed
every aspect were
of the
Snowdog trail,
he by the
which
brought
pleasure
to the people
immediately
captured
wanted
patients,
visitors, in
staff
and volunteers
to be able
to continue
of Ashford
and beyond
autumn
colourful
Snowdogs.
They to
brightened
share
that residents
enjoyment.
Parklife
has therefore
been loaned
to Pilgrims
2018, in
many
were
delighted
up Ashford
and became
a really fun
Hospices
and
be on
display
forthcoming
year.
that some of
the will
unique
pieces
of art for the
feature
for everyone
to enjoy. We took
bought at the Gala Auction remained
our young children around the town
Mr
Donald
said: “Like
near and them
far from
as part
of the Trinh
community
and many
can be living spotting
each Ashford,
weekend, taking
we
were
immediately
by the colourful
They visited
visited
within
the town. captured
Joining these
pictures. Snowdogs.
Every Snowdog
brightened
up Ashford
fun feature
everyone to
now is Parklife,
who was and
one became
of a pair a really brought
great for
excitement
and joy to
enjoy.
our young
children around the
the both
town of spotting
them each
bought We
by took
Vin Donald
Trinh.
our children,
everyone was
weekend, taking pictures. Every Snowdog visited
brought as great
excitement
a favourite
we loved
them all! We
and
joy to the Trinh
both so
of our
children,
everyone
was much
a favourite
we Parklife
loved fits in
Mr Donald
enjoyed
every
very
hope as
that
them
We Snowdog
very much
hope
that Parklife well
fits in
at his
new and
home
aspect all!
of the
trail,
he wanted
at well
his new
home
the family
and
the family
regularly to shall
make visit
sure
he’s
behaving
patients,
visitors, shall
staff visit
and him
volunteers
him
regularly
to make sure
himself!”
to be able to continue to share in that
he’s behaving himself!”
VETERANS BREAK ATLANTIC WORLD ROWING RECORD FOR RBLI
PETER AND NEIL CELEBRATE COMPLETING THE TALISKER WHISKY ATLANTIC CHALLENGE IN ANTIGUA. © Ben Duffy/Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge
Two Army veterans, rowing as the Grandads of the
Atlantic team and raising crucial funds for Royal
British Legion Industries, have broken a world record
by becoming the oldest pair to complete the row
across the ocean.
Former paratroopers Neil Young and Peter Ketley,
who have a combined age of 123, completed the
Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2018 in 63 days
and 22 minutes.
Prior to their year-long training regime, the pair had
no previous rowing experience before setting off on
their 3,000-mile nautical journey from the Canary
Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean in December.
The friends of more than 40 years, whose tours of
duty included Northern Ireland and the Falklands,
have raised more than £30,000 for worthy causes,
including Aylesford-based RBLI which is celebrating
144
100 years of support for veterans and the disabled
in 2019.
The money will go to support RBLI’s recently
announced plans for a Centenary Village – a £14m
development of specially adapted accommodation
for injured ex-service personnel with an on-site
community centre, which the charity says will set
them up for another 100 years of veteran care.
Grandad Peter said: “The challenge was an incredibly
difficult, but ultimately rewarding experience.
Needless to say there were challenging times battling
headwinds, significant waves and sore bodies, but
knowing we were helping people in desperate need
of support certainly perked us up at the low points.”
Grandad Neil added: “We’re incredibly proud to
be able to play a role in supporting Royal British
Legion Industries in what is the most important year
in their history – and we very much look forward to
seeing how they will improve the lives of the Armed
Forces veterans with the funds raised.”
Lisa Farmer, Director of Strategic Development at
RBLI, said: “We’ve followed the monumental journey
of Neil and Peter over the last 63 days and we’re
very proud to have them among our supporters.
Breaking the world record and raising such a
substantial amount is testament to their unwavering
bravery and support for their fellow veterans.”
The Grandads are continuing to fundraise for RBLI,
Dreams Come True and Support Our Paras. To
support them after their record-breaking journey,
visit: http://tinyurl.com/grandadsatlantic