Stars Appeal trekkers overcome challenges expected and unexpected in India

Friday, 22 May 2026 14:19

The trekkers celebrate reaching Triund Top

A group of 29 local people took on steep mountain trails and high altitudes in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas to raise money for the Stars Appeal, Salisbury Hospital’s Charity.

Last month, the trekkers journeyed to Delhi, then travelled on the night train to McLeod Ganj, home of the Dalai Lama. Over five days the team wound up and down mountain trails for around eight hours each day, through villages, meadows and forests, reaching altitudes of 3,000m, and resting in mountainside campsites at night.

First-time trekker Claire Sheppard, a mum of three from Fordingbridge, who works in the Cardiology Department at Salisbury District Hospital and has personal experience with the cancer, eye, and stroke teams at the hospital, explains: “For me the challenges included homesickness, uncomfortable planes, trains, buses and tents, ‘interesting’ toilets, surviving on a couple of hours sleep a night, 40 degree heat, heavy rain, fog, hail, thunder and lightning, traveller’s tummy and mild altitude sickness.

Image: Claire Sheppard

“Hiking to Triund on relentless uphill rocky terrain was one of the hardest things I’ve done, and all whilst feeling slightly delirious on very little sleep and sensory overload. I discovered I’m tougher than I thought. I got through it and feel proud to have challenged myself on so many levels, and to support the charity which is so close to my heart. Adrenaline, endorphins, teammates and chocolate got me to the top, and back again.”

Another first-time trekker, Cardiology Consultant Dr Susie Lewis, who is also a Stars Appeal Ambassador, added: “It was wonderful to be part of this inspiring trek and to join so many hugely committed people supporting our hospital charity, the Stars Appeal, which makes such a difference to the patients I care for and so many others across the hospital.”

Now the trekkers, ranging in age from 31 to 85, have returned to the UK and are collecting their final sponsorship ahead of the announcement of the grand total on June 2.

To support their fundraising efforts, visit their online fundraising page, https://starsappealtrek26.enthuse.com/salisburydistricthospitalstarsappeal/profile or drop into their last fundraiser in the Old George Mall in Salisbury on Saturday, May 30, 11 am to 2 pm.

Trekkers from six of the charity’s previous treks will be at the Celebration of Stars Appeal Treks event.