Three-year-old’s fundraising challenge for the Stars Appeal after dad diagnosed with cancer

A three-year-old boy, whose dad is being treated for cancer, has set himself a challenge to walk 3km to support Salisbury District Hospital’s Stars Appeal.

Kip Martin, his parents Simon and Rosie, and his 16-month-old sister Pandora (Panda), will join over 1,800 walkers already registered to take part in Walk for Wards on Sunday, July 5, at Wilton House. The sponsored walk is the Stars Appeal’s flagship fundraising event.

This will be the first time the family, who live in Baughurst, Hampshire, have taken part in Walk for Wards. Simon, 40, said: “Kip’s been absolutely amazing while I’ve been undergoing my treatment. He is really excited about doing Walk for Wards and wants to help people in hospital.”

Kip adds, “I wanted to run a marathon to raise some money for the hospital, but it’s too long for my little legs. So I am walking 3km.”

Simon was diagnosed with bowel cancer in March and has been undergoing treatment at Salisbury Hospital.

“It was awful when I was diagnosed with bowel cancer. I had cancer when I was 22, Hodgkin lymphoma so since then, any mention of cancer has made me really anxious. I had been getting sicker and sicker, lost about four stone in weight, and was constantly getting infections so it was a relief when I got my diagnosis,” admits Simon.

During his treatment, Simon has been helped by projects funded by donations to the Stars Appeal, Salisbury Hospital’s Charity, including the hospital’s chaplains and Stars Appeal Wi-Fi.

He said: “I can’t emphasise enough how impactful the conversation with the chaplain was in helping me get to grips with what I was facing. My wife was with me and we were in tears, the worst thing had happened, but the chaplain’s visit was transformative. From that moment, we have been really positive about what’s been happening.

“Having the aromatherapy massages from the Stars Appeal aromatherapist takes the sting out of having my immunotherapy treatment. It makes a horrible experience much more bearable. It’s also those human conversations that help take your mind off what you’re going through.”

“I wouldn’t have coped without the Stars Appeal Wi-Fi during my three weeks in hospital. I watched a lot of TV and films. I didn’t get mobile phone reception, so it meant I could have video calls with Kip, Panda, and my wife. Being able to stay in touch was huge for us as a family, and it made me feel less alone when I was in hospital,” continued Simon, who grew up in the Salisbury area.

“I’m just in awe of Salisbury Hospital and the Stars Appeal. What makes the hospital so special is all the extras that the Stars Appeal offers, which make a massive difference to people like me. Thank you to everyone who supports the Stars Appeal.”

To support Kip’s fundraising visit https://salisburydistricthospitalstarsappeal.enthuse.com/pf/simon-m

Join Kip and his family at Walk for Wards by registering for free on the Stars Appeal website, www.starsappeal.org