28/10/2026
On this day in 1991, exactly 35 years ago, Heart of Kent Hospice opened its doors and welcomed our first three patients.
In her memoir, 'Building Heart of Kent Hospice', Molly Poulter, Hospice Founder, recalled that one of our first three patients had held on with such determination to reach us.
The weekend before, her loved ones held a coffee morning at her home. Friends and relatives came to spend precious time with her. A Hospice Appeal collection box was by her bed, and she kindly asked every visitor to put something in it.
On the Monday morning she arrived with that box held close, so happy to be our very first patient.
In Molly’s words: “That night she died peacefully, and a week later her funeral took place in the little Hospice Chapel where she had worshipped before she became ill. Somehow she symbolised what we had all been working so hard for over so many years.”
35 years on, we still care for our community because of the kindness and generosity of people just like her, and just like you.
