Azets Office Workers Raise £1,860 in 55km Pilgrims Way Challenge for Hospices

Six colleagues from Azets completed the 55km Pilgrims Way Challenge, raising £1,860 for Pilgrims Hospices, which relies on donations for 80% of its funding.

Brum Daily 14/07/2026 10:40

Azets Office Workers Raise £1,860 in 55km Pilgrims Way Challenge for Hospices — Azets Workers Raise £1,860 in 55km Pilgrims Way Challenge

Six colleagues from the Ashford and Canterbury branches of accountancy firm Azets completed a gruelling 55km trek to raise vital funds for people living with incurable illnesses. The team took part in the annual Pilgrims Way Challenge, walking from Dover to Wye through Canterbury to support Pilgrims Hospices.

The Challenge

The dedicated team of Lauren Bickely, Marshall Smith, Cara Landers, Fred Ling, Chris Orr, and Jess Barry finished the walk at 8:15pm after 12 hours on their feet in hot conditions. Ashford-based senior Ashleigh Taylor helped organize the team for the event, which last year raised a record-breaking total of £198,000.

Fundraising Success

The colleagues raised £1,860, with extra sponsorship arriving from coworkers across the firm's 80 UK offices. Jess Barry said: “It was challenging, hard work and very long, but it was well worth the blisters we all now have to support such a deserving cause – and it was a great day out.”

—

Wide Pickt banner — collaborative shopping lists app for Telegram, phone mockup with grocery list

Impact on Pilgrims Hospices

Barry added: “Voluntary contributions make up 80% of Pilgrims Hospices’ funding so events like this are pivotal in ensuring their brilliant, skilled, compassionate and expert end of life care work goes on.” The charity provides skilled and compassionate palliative care completely free of charge to its patients, supporting more than 2,500 patients each year at its three inpatient units in Canterbury, Thanet, and Ashford.