Last chance to register for Salisbury Hospital Stars Appeal’s Walk for Wards

There is just over two weeks to register for the Stars Appeal’s sponsored walk in support of Salisbury District Hospital this July at Wilton House.

Walk for Wards, the flagship fundraising event for the Stars Appeal, Salisbury Hospital’s Charity, takes place on Sunday, July 5. Registration is free on the Stars Appeal’s website, www.starsappeal.org, and closes on Sunday, June 28.

Participants can walk 3k, 5k, 10k or 15k to say thank you to a ward or department at the hospital that has cared for them or their family, or to celebrate the memory of a loved one.

Lucy Peake and her husband Alex are walking 5k in memory of their sons Rowan and Ethan, who they sadly lost in 2024 during separate pregnancies. This is the third year they have taken part in Walk for Wards, and it will be extra special as they are walking with their son Finley, who was born last year, and their older son Ned, aged 8.

The family are raising money to support the Stars Appeal Benson Suite at the hospital, who cared for them after the sudden loss of their son Rowan in 2024. The specialist suite provides a dedicated, private space for families who sadly experience the loss of their baby. 

Lucy, from East Dorset, said: “The Benson Suite made such a difference, giving us privacy and our own space during one of the worst times of our life. The support we received was crucial in helping us to process our grief as a family and feel brave enough to try again with our dream to have another baby.

“We are blessed this year to walk with our son Finley, who was born last year. It means so much to us to walk to remember our beautiful boys Rowan and Ethan and be able to support the Benson Suite. It is a privilege to be able to help other families, as we were helped, by the support of families before us.”

Robina Orchard, from Devizes, is walking 10k in memory of her husband Maurice, who sadly passed away in January. Robina and her family will be raising money to support the Pembroke Cancer Suite.

She said: “I am walking in memory of Maurice, my husband of nearly 61 years. After a late diagnosis of stage four bowel cancer he was treated in the Pembroke Suite. The staff there were wonderful. The Stars Appeal is a charity close to our hearts and the whole family felt its benefit during Maurice's time at Salisbury Hospital, allowing us to make some fond memories during a very difficult time. I shall miss Maurice by my side at the walk this year but will be proud to walk with other family members to raise funds for the Stars Appeal in Maurice's memory.”

Walk for Wards is held by kind permission of Stars Appeal President Lord Pembroke and Lady Pembroke and is sponsored by Salisbury Reds. The event is also supported by Wilton and Salisbury Rotary Clubs, who marshal the event, and many other local people and organisations.

Register for free at www.starsappeal.org or call 01722 429005.